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Saving you time. Since 1994. A monthly newsletter distilling public policy and government decisions which affect business opportunities in Victoria, Australia and beyond. and Australia Victoria, in opportunities business affect which decisions government and policy public distilling newsletter monthly A 1994. Since time. you Saving ETR RM CANBERRA FROM LETTER 9 NOVEMBER to 18 DECEMBER 2010

14 Collins Street Melbourne, 3000 Victoria, Australia P 03 9654 1300 F 03 9654 1165 [email protected] www.letterfrommelbourne.com.au EDITORIAL: Our very busy political year. Challenges for the PM

Editor Alistair Urquhart A very busy year in Australian politics remains very busy until the very end. The broadband legislation Associate Editor Hamish Brooks Subscription Manager Juliette Biegler passed through the parliament, but watch this space as the implimentation proceeds with community and Advertising Manager Eddie Mior business challenges. We have had wikileaks which has brought foreign affairs to the top of our Index for Editorial Consultant Rick Brown this issue. The Christmas Island drownings calls for clarification on refugee issues, which had been sort Design Steph Dang of put on the back-burner. The miners are now back with clarification of their tax demands. And industrial relations will be more heavily in the news in 2011, which will include the Opposition’s view(s).

Letter From Melbourne is a monthly public affairs A quietish climate change summit in Cancun, in Mexico, probably achieved more than at the equivalent bulletin, a simple précis, distilling and interpreting public policy and government decisions, which affect meeting in Copenhagen a year ago. But gives plenty of challenge for the government and the other business opportunities in Victoria and Australia. Opposition and the independents and Green(s). Written for the regular traveller, or people with The prime minister has declared and set a high bar for achievements, for bring many matters to a resolution, meeting-filled days, you only have to miss reading the The Age or The Herald Sun twice a week to need in 2011. Almost as soon as she said that, the chairman of the Murray Darling Basin Authority resigned, Letter From Melbourne. It’s more about business adding another serious task for the federal government to tackle. Taylor is a serious long term state and opportunities (or lack of them) than politics. It’s not federal public servant, in particular having headed both agriculture and Infrastructure at a federal level, Crikey.com. We keep the words to a minimum. and he says that the recent political demands of water, to include community and business, does not fit in Letter From Melbourne is independent. It’s not party with the clear environmental focus of the Water Act which governed/governs the inquiry that he chaired. political or any other political. It does not have the imprimatur of government at any level. The Victorian election has raised the spectre of federal state relations, specifically in regard to the hospital reform and the new national education curriculum. COAG (Council of Australian Goverments) has a been For context. It includes events and people and society, and the weather if that is important. in the news for lack of activity over the past year. Which raises the consideration of the New South Wales election in March, with even more states to challenge Canberra on quite a few issues. Increasingly, Letter From Melbourne is developing a federal and national coverage and also an increasing And the banks have been a hot topic of conversation all month, with federal treasurer Wayne Swan looking synopsis of national business issues. at how to increase competition. Also, Oprah’s been in town and a lot of politicians have made the effort to The only communications tool of its type, Letter give her a hug. And it’s been raining. From Melbourne keeps subscribers abreast of recent developments in the policy arena on a local, state and The word curdling could come to mind if one mused on the range of topics which are before the federal federal level. government to finesse or resolve with the independents and Greens, the Liberal/National states and some You can read it on a flight from Melbourne once a internal disagreements within the Labor Party, both federally and at the state level. Other distractions will month or with a good cup of coffee. include gay marriage and nuclear power.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to our hard copy subscribers, our more general email readership, ADVERTISE WITH US our panel of experts and our other supporters. The perfect platform to attract the attention of the INDEX who’s who of Melbourne’s IN APPROxIMATE ORDER OF INTEREST OVER THE PAST MONTH

public and private sector. FOREIGN AFFAIRS 3 CLIMATE CHANGE. ENVIRONMENT. ENERGY 19 for a copy of our media kit or information regarding IMMIGRATION 4 RESOURCES 19 advertising with LETTER FROM MELBOURNE BROADBAND. ITC 6 BUSINESS. ECONOMY. TAX 20 please contact Alistair Urquhart BANKS 7 INFRASTRUCTURE 21 [email protected] +61 3 9654 1300 AGRICULTURE & WATER 9 JUSTICE 21 MEDIA 9 DEFENCE 22 Published by A.B Urquhart & Company Pty Ltd trading as Affairs EDUCATION 14 COALITION DOINGS 22 of State. Disclaimer: Material in this publication is general comment and not intended as advice on any particular matter. HEALTH 15 SOCIETY 23 Professional advice should be sought before action is taken. GOVERNANCE 15 APPOINTMENTS. JOBS. TENDERS 23 Material is complied from various sources including newspaper articles, press releases, government publications, Hansard, trade INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS 18 journals, etc. © This newsletter is copyright. No part may be reproduced, stored in or introduced into a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise), without the prior written permission from the publisher. Affairs of State respects your WANTED. SenSible univerSity Student, maybe with a background in politicS or law, with Some privacy. While we do believe that the information contained in Letter from Melbourne will be useful to you, please advise us if free time, part-time, over Summer for a brief but informative internShip. 03 9654 1300 you do not wish to receive any further communications from us.

2 LETTER FROM CANBERRA

diplomatic cables, declaring that attempts to silence him doubts about Australia’s ability to pay for its biggest ForEigN AFFAirs and WikiLeaks are pointless. military buildup since World War II, after one of Canberra’s most senior defence officials was unable to explain how A Wiki man Who would have thunk it? costings in the defence white paper were made. Defence WikiLeaks founder, Australian Julian Assange, 39, has Foreign Minister Kevin Rudd is an abrasive, impulsive Minister Stephen Smith conceded his department and the been detained in a British prison following rape allegations control freak who presided over a series of foreign policy government must get better value for the big spending on made against him in Sweden. Of his alleged crimes, many blunders during his time as prime minister, according military hardware. diplomats and heads of state would consider this to be minor to leaked United States diplomatic cables. The scathing in comparison to the 250,000 US cables his organisation assessment – detailed in messages sent by the US embassy China calling was feeding to the media throughout December. As The in Canberra to Secretaries of State, Condoleeza Rice and As many as four Cabinet ministers visited China in Age put it: Attorney-General Robert McClelland criticised Hillary Clinton over several years – are among hundreds of November. Treasurer Wayne Swan was one of them. His Assange’s leaking of the documents as potentially life US State Department cables relating to Australia obtained visit came after the Treasury Department set up a high-level endangering and incredibly irresponsible and reprehensible. by WikiLeaks and made available to The Age, from which ‘China unit’ to boost its capacity to analyse and engage with Government authorities around the world have been working this item is taken. Australia’s largest trading partner. The ministerial visits and overtime to determine if Assange could be charged with a the new push within Treasury will go some way to alleviating crime related to the leaks. The WikiLeaks website has Faceless man what Australian analysts and business people say has been battled to stay online as governments in several countries The Age reported, citing another WikiLeaked cable, a major vacuum in government policy-making on China, tried to block it. Let it be very clear. The main naughty that Sports Minister Mark Arbib has been revealed as The Age reported. The Australian reported that Swan person is the American government person who actually a confidential contact of the United States embassy in signed up to a US attack on China’s currency management, leaked the information to the wikileak organisation. Canberra, providing inside information and commentary for declaring it risked suffocating the recovery in the major Washington on the workings of the Australian government advanced economies. The criticism, contained in a jointly The Australian reported that Assange was seeking consular and the Labor Party. signed opinion article, was designed to rally support of G.20 assistance from Australian authorities in Britain and leaders at the Seoul summit for a US devised plan to limit Sweden as his website was accused of helping terrorists by We’re incredulous the growth of payments imbalances. The Financial Review releasing a classified US document that lists critical assets According to other US cables, Australian union leaders hold reported that a Wikileaked cable revealed that Kevin Rudd around the world, including Australia. Assange’s lawyers powerful sway over ministers and have disproportionate told US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton that Australia and revealed they were considering defamation action against influence over the Government via backroom deals. The the United States should work to integrate China into the Julia Gillard after she accused the embattled Australian of Age reported that the cables reveal that senior union international community but to be prepared to deploy force illegal conduct. By mid-December the Gillard government leaders privately briefed US officials about how they use if everything goes wrong. had hardened its position on the WikiLeak expose, saying their influence over the Labor Party to shape government it is illegal in Australia to obtain – or distribute – classified policies. Warming to international relations documents. Despite saying that foreign affairs is not her passion, Julia Devine opinion Gillard was overseas at an international conference in The Australian reported Julia Gillard is facing a revolt On the opinion pages of the Herald Sun, Miranda Devine mid-November, the third weekend out of four that she was from MPs in her left-wing parliamentary faction, angered wrote that no one believes that Julian Assange is in a British overseas. She spent about 55 hours on her VIP jet on a round at the treatment of Assange. The MPs are demanding the jail cell because he is a sex offender. The Swedish charges trip to Portugal for the NATO summit about Afghanistan. government stop treating him as a criminal and protect his appear to be a convenient way to shut up the Australian Nevertheless, The Age reported that Gillard did not travel rights as an Australian citizen and whistleblower. The Age born founder of WikiLeaks, who keeps embarrassing the to Switzerland to lobby for Australia’s 2022 World Cup bid, reported that newspaper editors and other media figures powerful by publishing 250,000 secret US documents on instead leaving it to Governor-General Quentin Bryce. have said in an open letter to Gillard that WikiLeaks is doing the internet. what the media have always done, bringing to light material Too honest to win the government would prefer to keep secret. Public private partnership In early November a sea of blue and yellow scarves turned The Age reported that another cable revealed that Rio Tinto parliament into an all-party cheer squad for Australia’s $46m Prominent human rights lawyer Julian Burnside said a privately gave China’s security authorities incriminating bid to host the 2022 soccer World Cup. It didn’t do much comparison of Assange to David Hicks was an apt comment evidence relating to jailed former staff, including senior good, Australia only polled one vote in the selection process, in regard to the government’s apparent enthusiasm to executive Stern Hu, while the company was publicly fighting despite initial indications from FIFA representatives that we assist the US rather than an Australian citizen. A task force their prosecution on corruption charges last year. were in with a much better chance. The 2022 tournament of Australian soldiers, intelligence officers and officials is was awarded to oil-rich Qatar. Billionaire Frank Lowy led investigating whether Assange has breached any Australian Show them the money Australia’s bid team in Zurich, where he was flanked by bid laws. Meanwhile, Assange’s 20-year-old Melbourne-based The Age reported that a confidential cable from the United chief executive Ben Buckley, Governor General Quentin son Daniel has defended his father’s decision to publish the States Embassy in Canberra revealed that America has Bryce, Sports Minister Mark Arbib and Socceroos skipper

3 9 NOVEMBER to 18 DECEMBER 2010

Lucas Neill when the announcement was made. The be purchased from the US, from 138, to as few as 40 or Queen on-line Age reported that FIFA, the game’s organising body, has even 12. This will/might affect Australia’s plans to buy 100 The Queen is to embrace the world of social networking by been roundly condemned by world leaders and Australian fighters, because development and testing costs will be the joining Facebook. The page will feature news, photographs, soccer supporters for running a deeply flawed selection same, but averaged out over a smaller fleet. videos and speeches, The Age reported. system. ‘These people are very corruptable,’ said Football Federation of Australia board member Ron Walker. He said Soft power Australia had been too honest to win. Australia will spend $500m building 2,000 schools in Indonesia in an effort to improve the prospects of Indonesia’s Hmmm! youth and moderate the influence of the country’s religious The Reserve Bank of Australia failed to stop its subsidiary schools. The five-year initiative was announced at a joint Securancy using money-laundering techniques to funnel press conference by Prime Minister Julia Gillard and her millions of dollars through an offshore front company up to Indonesian counterpart Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, The six months after police began probing it for bribery, The Age Age reported. reported. Where’s it all going? Hmmm 2 The effectiveness of Australia’s multibillion-dollar aid Federal trade agency Austrade may have breached anti- programme will be independently investigated for the first bribery laws by helping to organise benefits of foreign time in 15 years, Foreign Minister Kevin Rudd announced. officials being courted by the Reserve Bank firm at the A panel of high-profile public figures will assess whether centre of an international corruption probe. It is understood Australia’s $4.3b in annual aid is being spent efficiently that the Australian Federal Police has discovered material and make recommendations to improve its structure and suggesting the government agency facilitated improper delivery, The Age reported. benefits for overseas officials as part of efforts to win contracts for Securancy, the RBA’s polymer banknote Cookie monster maker, The Age reported. The Age reported that Dr Stephen Duckett, who has previously headed the Australian government’s Vale Department of Health and was a leading member of Twenty-nine miners died in a second explosion at a the Rudd government’s National Health and Hospitals HAMISH BROOKS coalmine in Greymouth on New Zealand’s South Island. Reform Commission, was removed as chief executive of They had been trapped underground for five days following Canada’s Alberta Health Services, following criticism of Hamish has been the sub-editor for three years, thirty the initial blast. his management of the organisation, which reportedly editions of Letter from Melbourne and thirty editions has rising hospital care waiting times. The last straw of Letter From Canberra, 15,000 words each edition, Hyperventilation? was evidently repeatedly refusing to answer journalists in total 900,000 words. Hamish has used voice Prime Minister Julia Gillard met US President Barrack questions, because he said ‘I’m eating my cookie’. recognition equipment, inspired by dictation specialist Obama for the first time for talks in Yokohama on the Howard Hutchins of Melbourne. So do not doubt how sidelines of an Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation meeting Stepping on and over well this technology can work! on November 13. Foreign Minister Kevin Rudd missed the The Age reported that Australia’s campaign to isolate Fiji’s meeting because of a respiratory illness. military regime for its failure to hold early elections has Hamish has also contributed to a number of other backfired, with the US and other important powers side- publications including an Australian Institute of Real politic stepping Canberra to influence the Fijians. Company Directors quarterly bulletin, acted as agenda Foreign Minister Kevin Rudd met U2 front man Bono to talk secretary for a monthly infrastructure think tank, about poverty and aid. A spokesman for Rudd said the pair Welcome which includes some very senior industry leaders, and had met at the Sydney Opera house for about 45 minutes, Career diplomat Paul Madden will be Britain’s new High finished writing his first novel. Few people would have along with Make Poverty History co-chairmen Andrew Commissioner to Australia, formerly High Commissioner this particular expertise and experience. An excellent Hewett and Tim Costello, The Age reported. to Singapore since 2007, and replacing Baroness Valerie reference is available. Hamish studied Arts at the Amos who has gone to a UN post. He takes up his post University of Melbourne, and Professional Writing and Austrians all let us rejoice in January. He has published a book: ‘Raffles: Lessons in Editing at RMIT. Ahead of the two-day G20 summit in Seoul that started Business Leadership’. in mid-November, the host nation crafted a set of dolls in the likeness of world leaders. The one of Prime Minister The Manmohan of the moment ImmIgratIon Julia Gillard was holding the Australian flag, but the red- Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh accepted an and-white puff sleeved dress and pink apron are distinctly invitation to make an official visit to Australia next year,The Christmas Island reminiscent of traditional Austrian garb. Gillard has promised Age reported. Apart from the question as to how could the boat with to maintain Australia’s high-profile in the G20 group of refugees have got so close to Christmas Island before it was nations in the ‘Australian Labor tradition of creating middle Pardon? wrecked and some 30 people were drowned, this tragedy power diplomacy’, The Age reported. The British government has rejected a bid to finally pardon will put pressure on the government to come up with some Harry ‘Breaker’ Morant and two other Australians for the clear statements and policies about this method of refugees Stiff upper lip murder of prisoners during the Boer War more than 100 coming towards Australia. The Age reported that half a million of Britain’s public sector years ago. No new new evidence. workers are to lose their jobs as a result of a comprehensive A detailed challenge review of government spending. Danny Alexander, the Thinking of England The Age reported that Australia’s decade old regime of Chief Secretary to the Treasury unwittingly disclosed Prince William, 28, second in line to the British throne, will processing asylum seekers offshore has been thrown into the full scale of the expected redundancies when he was marry his long-term girlfriend Kate Middleton, 28, next doubt by the High Court, opening the way for thousands of photographed reading confidential briefing papers. Nearby, year, The Age reported. The date has been set for April 29. people who arrive by boat to have their claims for refugee British Prime Minister David Cameron said that the status tested by the courts. austerity cuts his government is undertaking would include The Court unanimously ruled that two Tamil asylum seekers drastically reducing the number of Joint Strike Fighters to from Sri Lanka were denied procedural fairness after

4 LETTER FROM CANBERRA

ViEWPoiNT

Clear thinking in British politics: Birmingham

Alistair Urquhart public affairs director and editor of Letter From Canberra and Letter from Melbourne

The Conservative Party annual conference in Birmingham, in early October, including the pre-conference Sunday, was a smorgasbord of public policy applicable to the British nation and peoples beyond its shores. 14,000 delegates including 1,000 Party members from constituencies across Britain including two from the Falklands and two from Gibraltar, 150 Conservative MP’s, that’s about half of them (and there was coffee shop criticism that more or all were not in attendance), 2,000 local and international media, perhaps 2,000 specialist public policy specialists and opinion formers and leaders across the spectrum of current public policy and it’s administration, and many thousands of others seeking to influence policy or be aware of it as it is and the direction in which it might change.

A very large number of the latter groups including myself had no political affiliation to the Party but need to know how government in Britain is going to be working over the next few years.

The main components of the Conference were the perimiter fence with the security of London airport, the large conference hall, stalls, fringe events, some Party particular events and many planned, and unplanned meetings, usually over coffee or meals, with Government ministers and a plethora of other interesting people with whom a coffee allows some focus on mutually interesting matters, apart from the many opportunities to chat in the corridors and in the Conference environment. Diversity of political thinking is one thing, diversity of accent another. A kilt sometimes Party delegates in the front rows, and other visitors up behind, attended the main conference provided clues as to what people might be saying, even if one could not understand the detail hall for several sessions each day to listen to many speakers: the prime minister and his of their argument. fellow cabinet ministers, specialist guest speakers such as Boris (Johnson, the maverick Conservative Mayor of London), senior party officials and committee chairmen and lesser I asked a couple of smartly-suited fellows (who at the conference was not) what they thought known speakers such as a young man, Wow, what a young man, who came from an of Boris, as they sat beside a TV screen at a coffee breakout area. The London mayor that day ‘underprivileged’ and dangerous Birmingham housing estate to ‘another life’ to respect and was calling for laws to stop striking rail workers. Turned out to be two trade union officials, help develop Conservative welfare and employment policies for his and similar communities. keeping their eye on the conference deliberations, not that any votes per se are taken at the conference. Serious policy stuff, as in Australia, does not so much these days have lots of With Tony Abbot in the conference audience, foreign secretary William Hague noted that votes from the floor to guide a, or the, party. That’s the job of the media! neither Labour’s foreign secretary nor prime minister had visited Australia in 15 years. A couple of other senior non-parliamentary (Australian) liberals were at the conference. The politics of the conference. ‘It was all their fault and despite and because of massive cuts over the next couple of years, the Conservatives will fix things up. Major themes were Welfare Outside the main hall, 150 ‘stalls’ had teams promoting a wide range of policy interests: the to work, Greening Britain, Spending less, The Big Society, which means that people and nuclear industry, the benefits of transport in Manchester, British Small Business, the British volunteers will drive Britain of the future from the bottom up rather than government working Humanist Society, The Parliamentary Christian Fellowship, Bombardier Rail and Guide Dogs. and spending it’s way down through society as Labour has been doing. The underlying Gibraltar. Falkland Islands (Don’t forget us)!. The senior ministers and other MPs faithfully and idea is that this will result in less bureaucracy and more local autonomy, and it needs less more than once worked the stalls to listen, and to develop ideas. Government money! [Hospitals won’t be privatised, instead, after 60 years, they are given more autonomy within the NHS] Some quangos will go. The education minister pledges to put Above all, some 450 ‘Fringe Events’ provided wonderful opportunities to catch up on issues history back into the classroom, with less union involvement in the education process. and meet ministers and opinion leaders and the other people that wanted to meet them. Starting at 7.30 am and throughout the day until late, over serious hour long discussions, all The Labour Party holds a very similar conference, this year in Manchester, the week before backed up by help yourself meals and drinks depending on the time of day for pre and after the Conservatives and the Liberals at Liverpool Two years ago, I attended the Labor and chat, and paid for by sponsors with a mission. Conservative conferences at the same two cities. Both cities are major conference cities as A Digital Britain, Britain’s future is hitech, a new sewage system for London, ex-offender they redevelop their similar economies. programs, disabled people on transport systems, education linkages. Who should pay for skills. Early intervention with dysfunctional families. Of course, we cannot quite do this nationally in Australia, because we have these things called States, each attracting the political parties to a state-focused event. Yes, the parties The civil servants were back at Whitehall, so chatting with a cabinet minister or junior minister have federal or national, conferences but they do not (yet) command the gravitas to bring either by appointment perhaps in private or more likely at one of the coffee rooms or hotel such large numbers of the nation’s main policy players to one city. There is a prominent foyers could led to clarity of comment. involvement for municipal/district/metropolitan councils, not just London, but also Leeds, Manchester, Birmingham and other large Cities. Two events at the conference were exclusive to party members. The annual party dinner attracted 400 members, who roared with applause to guest speaker Boris, and the more These conferences are a grand opportunity for non Brits including Australians, to see what narrowly focused conservative end of the Party dinner the next evening with greater clarity is going on in the UK and to see how we compare. Sometimes Australia is in front with policy and strength of thought, both events which the writer attended due to a misunderstanding of development and its implementation and sometimes behind. Whitehall and Canberra clearly the English language at a distance. exchange policy wonks. Knowledge and ideas continue to flow very exactly between offices in Whitehall and Canberra, and not just with defense and foreign affairs. For best benefits, lots Above: The editor of Letter from Canberra with the Mayor of London. of planning well in advance, is required to meet the politicians and your other stakeholders at these Conferences.

5 9 NOVEMBER to 18 DECEMBER 2010

their claims were rejected under the Rudd government’s Get skills It shall not want independent merits review process. The Financial Review reported that Regional Development As the Government tried to shepherd national broadband The administrative system – under which failed asylum Minister Simon Crean has rejected calls for greater reliance network legislation through the Senate, independent and seekers can appeal against decisions by the Department on migrants to plug skills gaps on resource projects in Greens MPs reacted angrily to its refusal to release the of Immigration and Citizenship – was introduced by the northern Australia, and urged instead a focus on training business plan for the government-owned NBN Co. The Rudd government in July 2008. The High Court rejected indigenous workers. government had agreed to brief independents privately on the government’s use of the Migration Act to detain asylum the material, but said it cannot publish until the following seekers on Christmas Island, while claiming the review Sad month because it is commercially sensitive. Shadow process was ‘non-statutory’ – occurring outside Australia Ahmad al-Akabi, an Iraqi asylum seeker who hanged broadband minister Malcolm Turnbull pushed for a Law. himself at Sydney’s Villawood Detention Centre, had begged cost benefit analysis – which was defeated by one vote. The Australian reported that failed asylum seekers will be the Immigration Department to send him home, The Age Independent senator Xenophon had wanted an assessment given access to the Australian judicial system ‘after a pivotal reported. The 41-year-old father of three had been held of the networks social impacts, The Age reported. High Court ruling that landed a significant blow to Australia’s for more than a year, having been processed on Christmas offshore processing regime which the government says will Island after arriving in Australia. The Age reported that In the bag elongate detention times’. asylum seekers will be offered sweeteners to return to The Financial Review reported that the Gillard government the countries they fled under a $5m reintegration program sealed a deal to restructure Telstra and build its national Immigration Minister Chris Bowen said plans for a regional announced by the Government. broadband network after being forced to release a plan processing centre in East Timor would not be affected by showing the project would take three extra years to the court’s decision. Cement bricks complete. The Government overcame Senate objections John Howard has rejoined his long battle with but only after revealing some of the challenges facing the A later report in The Age had at least 150 asylum seekers multiculturalism, denying it is the ‘cement’ holding Australia network, including risks to Labor’s core promise to charge having their claims for refugee status reassessed following together and urging policies that recognise common values a uniform national wholesale price for broadband. The the High Court decision to uphold the constitutional rather than ethnic differences, The Australian reported. In costings row broke out when the Coalition said total outlays challenge to the Government’s offshore processing regime. his autobiography, Lazarus Rising, the former prime minister could reach $49b, while the government insisted the capital The Australian reported that the Australian Lawyers Alliance makes no apology for his response to the rise of Pauline costs would be $35.7b, $7.3b lower than planned. The has urged the Government to provide more resources for Hanson in 1998. Senate breakthrough was tarnished by strong criticism of the Federal Court and Federal Magistrates Court to prepare Julia Gillard at a special caucus meeting, where some MPs them for an expected surge in appeals by rejected asylum Mysterious creaking noise diminishes expressed concern about the government’s agenda. seekers. The Australian reported that Australia’s decade-long baby boom has stalled, with 295,700 infants born last year, 900 Convenient And so on and so forth fewer than the year before. The Australian reported that the committee being created The Australian reported that the Coalition is almost certain to to scrutinise the National Broadband Network will have a oppose any legislation proposed by the Gillard government to majority of Labor MPs and not operate until July, sparking counter the above High Court decision. In a political strategy BroADBAND. iTC fresh criticism about inadequate scrutiny of the country’s identical to the one adopted by the Greens on the emissions biggest infrastructure project. The committee – promised by trading scheme, the Coalition is gearing up to block any Alternative models Julia Gillard to secure the support of independent Senator legislative fixes introduced into the lower house on the The Business Council of Australia has urged the government Nick Xenophon – will have 16 members, of whom nine will grounds they won’t go far enough. Opposition spokesman to consider alternative models for delivering the National be Labor-nominated. It will be chaired by independent Rob for immigration Scott Morrison said the government must Broadband Network, The Australian reported. A later Oakeshott. produce a broader response to the ruling if it expected report found Australian businesses have high hopes for the coalition support. network, following a survey of more than 500 enterprises. Fibre-optic hurdle More than half of all respondents said a high-speed The National Broadband Network cleared an important What do people live in? fibre network would make them more competitive and hurdle, after key independents backed legislation that paves Big cuts to immigration risk stalling the housing industry and increase their markets and geographic reach. The study, the way for the breakup of Telstra into retail and wholesale sparking a new round of skills shortages which could lead commissioned by Macquarie Telecom and conducted by arms. The merger will also allow the government and NBN to higher interest rates, The Australian reported. Leading Access Economics covered 17 industries and businesses Co to use Telstra’s infrastructure to roll-out the network. In demographer Bernhard Salt warned that putting the with a combined 300,000 employees. The Age, Malcolm Maiden wrote that the legislation that brakes on migration for too long could undermine economic cleared the parliament creates two paths for Telstra. One growth. Meanwhile, business leaders are demanding a Independent MPs back Malcolm Turnbull’s call for greater of them leads to Telstra cooperating with the rollout of the dramatic increase in skilled immigration to avoid a wages transparency in theNational Broadband Network, raising NBN, and being paid at least $11b – $9b will come from breakout as skills shortages spread from the resources the prospect that Labor could be forced to refer the project NBN Co in a series of payments for the progressive closure sector into the wider economy. to the Productivity Commission. Communications Minister of the copper wire network as it is overrun by the NBN, Stephen Conroy ridiculed the Organisation for Economic and in lease payments for the copper wire ducts and pipes A suggestion Cooperation and Development over its warning that the NBN Co will take over, and another $2b will come from the A coalition government could lift the intake of Afghan NBN could stymie the development of better internet-based Government as essentially a bribe to subscribe. The other refugees under a proposal to send boat people back to be technologies. path results in Telstra not cooperating with the NBN, not processed in camps along Afghanistan’s borders. Opposition being paid, being broken up anyway, and being punished immigration spokesman Scott Morrison outlined a Central Careful consideration in other ways. Asian variation of Julia Gillard’s regional processing The Australian reported that Treasury has warned cabinet proposal. it needs to give very careful consideration to the National Points of interconnect Broadband Network implementation study over coming The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission Got skills? months, arguing that the project carries significant risks has urged the government to reject the proposal to extend Engineers are to join the next wave of temporary migrants to the national balance sheet. The advice to cabinet, the national broadband network’s monopoly. The Australian to Australia as the nation prepares to construct a national originally suppressed when Treasury’s incoming brief to reported that the ACCC has told the Government to discard broadband network, The Australian reported. the government was released under freedom of information the NBN Co’s plan to build only 14 points of interconnection laws in September, was revealed in early November. – where retail service providers will hook into the fibre

6 LETTER FROM CANBERRA

network to deliver broadband services to consumers – in five Clouded future. But some certain dollars capital cities and require 200 points to be implemented. The relationship between Telstra and its largest shareholder continues to decay, with the Future Fund voting against all Gloves back on resolutions at the company’s meeting in mid-November. Telstra’s wholesale division is preparing to go head-to-head Since February 2007, the fund has sold 879 million shares with NBN Co and other wholesalers in the lucrative market of an original 2.1 billion and said it will keep selling Telstra to resell voice and internet services, as Canberra debates shares over the medium term. This was one of five factors how many exchanges the national network should have, that Telstra Chairperson Catherine Livingstone blamed The Age reported. ‘Many of our customers will want to for Telstra’s weak share price, along with regulatory deal directly with NBN Co,’ the group managing director of uncertainty. Livingstone confirmed that Telstra would pay a Telstra Wholesale, Paul Geason, said. full-year dividend of 28c a share, fully franked, this year and next, and said the board would look into a share buyback On the bandwagon once negotiations with NBN Co were finalised. big thinkers The National Broadband Network came under fresh (think tanks, criticism from a group of telecommunications executives No dial tone and analysts, who cast doubt on the government’s plan Telstra will axe 950 executive and middle management jobs knowledge bro- to keep prices flat for basic broadband products, The in corporate offices around Australia in a bid to cut costs and kers, networks & Age reported. As key legislation stalled in the Senate, the reduce bureaucracy. The cuts will be made in departments government defended NBN Co’s plans to gradually cut responsible for marketing and customer relations, with opinion shapers) prices for all except the most basic packages. affected employees offered redundancy and retraining. Employees of more than 25 years could get up to 80 weeks The 2009 edition of Affairs of State’s Bed time reading play, The Age reported. latest publication Big Thinkers The business plan of NBN Co, the company building the (thing tanks, knowledge brokers, national broadband network, is more than 400-pages long, Private work networks & opinion shapers) has according to Communications Minister Stephen Conroy, The Government is working behind the scenes to allay just been launched by historian the Financial Review reported. The Age reported that Conroy privacy and health fears over its $28.5m program to Geoffrey Blainey. hinted that the government may delay the release of the introduce virtual strip search scanners at all international Government’s national broadband network business plan airports from early next year, The Australian reported. until next year, in contrast to repeated promises it would be Nearby, the US Electronic Privacy Information Centre has Big Thinkers is the only compre- published by Christmas. Conroy said that the government filed a lawsuit demanding the Transportation Security hensive and accurate guide to think may need to change the plan after considering a report from Administration halt its full body scanner rollout pending an tanks, thinking/ideas organisations the ACCC. independent review of public concerns. and opinion shapers in Australia. Builders spared Here is another IT item It assembles a list of more than 300 The National Broadband Network Company will cover the The Australian reported that the contract IT market in the ACT think tanks, think/ideas organisa- costs of rewiring old apartment blocks to ensure they can has had its toughest half year on record with the continued tions and opinion shapers from a connect to the $43b project, The Australian reported. The decline in the government’s reliance on contractors to meet cross section of disciplines to help Age reported, confusingly, that facing complaints from the Gershon Efficiency Review’s June 30 benchmark. The you understand the new financial property developers, who are set to build 1.9 million homes Peoplebank Intermedium Federal ICT Labour Hire Index for and policy environment. during the network’s rollout, the government said that from the three months to June 30 found weakening demand was January NBN Co will install fibre cables in new housing cushioned by seasonal contract renewals as well as a surge developmeDES. before the calling of the federal election. With easy-to-read summaries, Big Thinkers provides up-to-date infor- When it’s ten times faster… Gray area mation including: Wireless broadband can be delivered to regional households The Financial Review reported that former National E-Health Academic think tanks more reliably and at faster speeds if an emerging technology Transition Authority chief executive Ian Reinecke was Government think tanks being developed in Australia is used in the national appointed by the Department of Finance in April to assess Contract research think tanks broadband network. The CSIRO claims it has found a its performance in carrying out the recommendations of the Policy advocacy think tanks way to transmit wireless broadband faster and up to four Gershon review, which led to billion-dollar information and No-for-profit policy centres times more efficiently than existing technology, The Age communications technology spending cuts over four years. University public policy and reported. Reinecke’s report was released by Special Minister of State research centres Gary Gray. One of Reinecke’s recommendations was for the What’s happening in Tassie? Finance Department to conduct a thorough assessment of Opinion editors, columnists The federal Auditor-General has been asked to conduct the Australian Government Information Management Office and writers an inquiry into the role of the national broadband network (AGIMO), which had led the Gershon implementation on its in Tasmania, which has received more than $100m from behalf, to consider whether its two major roles of policy Only $110 inc. GST taxpayers to fund the fledgeling project, The Australian development and facilitating delivery should be functionally reported. separated.A follow-up report in the same paper said To order your copy contact: Reinecke appears deeply unconvinced that the AGIMO has Affairs of State They do good work a future. Level 2, 14 Collins Street, The Department of Broadband, Communications and the Melbourne VIC 3000 Digital Economy has hired McKinsey, again, for $4.98m to consult the company charged with ensuring basic telephone BANks Telephone: +61 3 9654 1300 services are available to all Australians under the $43b Facsimilie: +61 3 9654 1165 network, The Australian reported. Reform Email: [email protected] The Age reported Treasurer Wayne Swan announcing plans to ban mortgage exit fees – blamed for dampening

7 9 NOVEMBER to 18 DECEMBER 2010

competition by making it prohibitively expensive for sector. The package is also expected to involve injecting have been taken to court because the Australian Securities customers to switch to cheaper loans – from July 1 next money into the securitisation market – a key source of funds and Investments Commission has been preparing what it year. The ban on exit fees will apply only to new mortgages for small lenders – as well as expanding the use of Australia calls regulatory guidance detailing what it will regard as (from July 1, 2011) and is included in the package of reforms Post branches for credit union deposits and withdrawals. unfair. But for most of Australia’s 2.5 million mortgage with an inquiry into account number portability; mutuals However, the proposals fall short of establishing Australia holders the guidelines will do little. The law that came into being fast tracked to become banks; the deposit guarantee Post as a stand-alone bank. The Australian reported that force in July only applies to mortgages entered into after extended indefinitely; ‘Government Protected Deposits’ Australia Post chairman David Mortimer has signalled that date, The Age rreforms. logo; standard fact sheets for mortgage offers; prosecutions plans to expand financial services, but rejects suggestions for price signalling; and the government is to fund $4 billion the organisation should become a bank. The happy couple more mortgages, ‘covered bonds’, and ‘bullet’ mortgage A marriage between AMP and Axa Asia-Pacific will provide securities. What’s not in the package is an outright ban on A race to the top or bottom a powerful fifth pillar to Australia’s financial landscape. mortgage exit fees; tracker mortgages with fixed margins; The Reserve Bank has dismissed claims by the big banks The combined group will become the biggest provider of limits on how much banks can charge; Australian Post that their costs are climbing faster than the cash rate, in a retail superannuation products, retail managed funds, life competing as a bank; a new financial system inquiry; and submission to the Senate banking inquiry. insurance and retirement products in the country, even if its a bank super profits tax. Nearby, The Age reported that market capitalisation will be nothing like that of the major an overwhelming majority – 81 per cent – of Australians What are non-bank lenders? Authorised Banking banks, the Financial Review reported. A distribution force believe there is a case for banks to be subject to a super Institutions of nearly 3,000 fully owned and aligned planners is sure profits tax of the kind to be applied to mining. The Financial Review reported that credit unions and to enhance AMP’s ability to cope with the changes being building societies have an image problem. While they are pressed on the industry by the Cooper review. Super $$$$ regulated and held to the same standard as the big four, The Financial Review reported Swan outlined measures many consumers link their smaller size to greater risk. Many Glitch to allow banks to tap into the $1.2 trillion superannuation were unaware that mutuals – which are not non-banks – A computer glitch at the National Australia Bank initially sector to raise funds, in a banking competition package were covered by the same deposit guarantees as banks. delayed payments to only the bank’s customers, but spread driven by the need to reduce reliance on offshore funding. The sector is pushing to rebrand. A change to the Banking to delay payments to customers from all major banks and The banking package also singled out banks for tough new Act would allow credit unions and building societies to label lingered for a couple of days, The Age reported. laws against price signalling. The industry executive said the themselves ‘Authorised Banking Institutions’. The head of package – announced on the eve of the start of the Senate industry body Abacus, Louise Petschler, said focus groups Don’t punish profits inquiry into banking competition – contained little to live up showed a difference in customer perception. A defiant Ralph Norris – chief executive of the to promised to create a fifth pillar in Australian banking from Commonwealth Bank – has warned short-term populism credit unions and building societies. Up and away is damaging the country’s reputation among foreign The Age reported that ANZ has defied the Treasurer and investors. Future Fund chairman David Murray, backed Swan’s bid to inject more competition into the banking joined the Commonwealth Bank in lifting its interest rates on the arguments of the major banks and said the government system received a lukewarm response from Reserve Bank home and business loans by well in excess at November’s could help to reduce pressure by cutting its budget deficit. of Australia governor Glenn Stevens and National Australia official .25 percentage point move. However, ANZ tried The Age reported that Norris played down profits in the Bank chief Cameron Clyne amid a growing political row to soften the blow by scrapping home loan exit fees and banking sector and cautioned politicians against punishing about whether it would keep rates down. temporarily waving other charges, which it said would make or taking revenge on banks through regulation. He said that it easier for customers to switch banks. A couple of days picking on the banks is an easy way for politicians to get on Swan’s pillar later National Australia Bank and Westpac also ignored the front page, because banks were a slow-moving target, The Age reported that Treasurer Wayne Swan suggested Canberra’s warnings by passing on super sized interest- the new regulation could damage competition in the sector a so-called fifth pillar in the banking industry, with credit rate rises to customers. All the big four lenders have now by making it harder for new entrants to get a foothold. unions and building societies to be given assistance to exceeded the reserve’s official move. National Australia Bank chief executive Cameron Clyne expand in a bid to put more competitive pressure on the big said banks need to drop their arrogance and acknowledge four banks. In a move that is likely to be resisted by the big This is a gouge… why they are so unpopular. Clyne is trying to head off banks, the recently closed government guarantee scheme is Big banks were put under further pressure when the potential government intervention in expected to be reopened on a limited basis for credit unions, Government released the formal definition of the term building societies and regional banks. The guarantee would ‘gouging’ that it will use to guide prosecutions. Since July it put small lenders in a stronger position to raise money in has been illegal for a bank to charge a mortgage exit fee any hostile markets and boost their share of the home lending higher than needed to cover its costs. Until now no banks

8 LETTER FROM CANBERRA

David wants a lend from Goliath per cent of new season wheat and barley would be rain- Conroy’s revelation that he would not protect the best A Parliamentary committee chaired by Labor backbencher damaged and waterlogged. The Age reported stone fruit AFL or NRL games from pay television dismayed free-to- Bernie Ripoll is set to launch a new inquiry into the prices, especially the price of cherries, are tipped to rise air networks Seven, Nine and Ten. Bob Brown says the treatment of small businesses by banks. because of the constant downpours. The Australian Bureau Greens will oppose any push to reduce free-to-air television of Agricultural and Resource Economics downgraded its coverage of AFL blockbuster matches, Australian Open The customer is always confused forecast for 2010-11 wheat exports to 16 million tonnes. This tennis or Olympic events because it is not in the public Major credit card companies have raised concerns that is 2.4 million tonnes fewer than it forecast in September interest. excessive and confusing surcharging by retailers is deterring Be nimble. Be quick In the same paper, Harold Mitchell, the executive chairman customers under reforms that had been designed to improve The Murray-Darling Basin Authority will not guarantee of Mitchell Communication Group, wrote that overseas, the transparency, the Financial Review reported. that any feedback received on its basin plan guide after pay system has built its great subscriber base on the back of November will be taken into account in the writing of the sporting rights. In Australia, it has been very successful, but next draft document on water allocation reforms, The limited. The anti-siphoning laws were established in the late AgriCulTurE & WATEr Australian reported. According to New South Wales natural 90s and gave handsome profits to the free-to-air networks resources commissioner John Williams, the Murray-Darling for a decade. Act two Basin process has failed to equip rural communities with The government is under pressure to rewrite the Water Act the ability to cope with changing weather patterns and has Nearby after the head of the Murray-Darling Basin Authority, Mike lost their trust. Dr Williams, a former CSIRO land and water Bob Brown could try to give Parliament the power to Taylor, resigned with a warning that the legislation requires chief, said the nation was entering a period of drier but decide which individual sports events can be carried by the environment be given priority over rural communities, more variable weather that presented a double whammy free-to-air or pay TV. The move would give Parliament the the Financial Review reported. The Age reported that for communitie authority to determine the commercial power of the two Taylor’s resignation has opened the way for a philosophical television sectors, and could lead to MPs debating what shift in the reform process, which is now likely to give Adieu is the match of the day. Cabinet is expected to consider a greater consideration to the social and economic impacts of The sale of AWB, the iconic grains marketer, to the Canadian proposal from Communications Minister Stephen Conroy returning farmer’s water to the river. Taylor had been at odds agribusiness giant Agrium, was approved by shareholders. to overhaul current restrictions on what sports events free- with the government over his organisation’s belief that the The vote was seen as a formality, after the deal gained to-air television and pay TV could show. The current anti- reform plan is legally required to prioritise the environment approval from the Foreign Investment Review Board and its siphoning list will expire on December 31. over social and economic factors. After months of duelling New Zealand equivalent, The Age reported. Shares in AWB Technically, cabinet must decide what happens to the anti- legal interpretations of the Water Act, Taylor received fresh Ltd traded for the last time on November 19, as the scheme siphoning list, which dictates 1,300 sporting events and 12 legal advice that vindicated the Basin Authority’s stance, and of arrangement by which the company was sold to Canada’s sports that must be covered on free-to-air television. Conroy the continuing stand-off with the government apparently Agrium took effect. AWB stocks were down 1c at $1.495 at has confirmed he is considering letting pay TV operator prompted his resignation. the close of business Foxtel bid directly for AFL games each week, instead of having to purchase them from the free-to-air TV rights A perspective Frustration holders. In the Financial Review, Sophie Morris wrote that Taylor is Managing director of Murray-Goulburn Cooperative, To appease the free-to-air networks, current restrictions seen by some as a champion of the environment for insisting Stephen O’Rourke, resigned in early November after two on what sports they can show on the new digital channels in his resignation statement that the Water Act requires that weeks of farmer anger at undisclosed payments to his wife. would be lifted. the environment be given top billing in any plan for the river O’Rourke, who ran the country’s biggest dairy processor for The question of who controls the pick of what games are system. But sources close to him say his resignation was 12 years, will leave in July next year, the Financial Review shown on free-to-air TV is currently one for the AFL and NRL more a reflection of his discomfort with the constraint the reported. and the free-to-air networks. But there is pressure for any Act put on him to focus on the environment and give only deal done by Senator Conroy to have cast-iron guarantees secondary consideration to social and economic factors. Wool comber about free-to-air access to major games. As a result, there Regardless of which is correct, his statement has highlighted Located in Dubbo in central west New South Wales, Fletcher is industry pressure for the ‘pick’ to be regulated, the the legal issues. International Exports Wool Top Processing Facility, a wool- Financial Review reported. combing and scouring plant, will close its doors by the end Nearby of the year and 40 staff will be reassigned to new jobs, They’re all good The Age reported that legal advice that led to the resignation the Financial Review reported. The executive director of In the AFL’s submission to Communications Minister of the Murray Darling Basin Authority chairman Mike Taylor the Australian Council of Wool Exporters Peter Morgan, Stephen Conroy over the new anti-siphoning laws, AFL will not be released because the Australian Government pointed out that Australia was once the largest wool comber chief executive Andrew Dimitriou and his deputy Gillon Solicitor was not warned it would become public, the in the world, with hundreds of such plants scattered around MacLachlan, are believed to have said they would prefer government said. Taylor said he had received advice from the nation. ‘More than 60 per cent of wool exported from that any changes to the list of protected AFL games be more the Government Solicitor that confirmed his view that Australia was early-stage processed here at home,’ Morgan broadly defined as high-quality,The Age reported. the authority could not legally compromise the proposed said. ‘Even 10 years ago that figure was 30 per cent. Now minimum target of delivering 3,000 billion litres more water it’s all done in China.’ In conclusion to the river under federal laws. This brought into conflict The Age reported that, under the overhaul of sports with Water Minister Tony Bourke. broadcasting rules, more premium sport will be able to be mEDiA shown on free-to-air television – including on the digital Can’t take a trick multi-channels – but would also allow pay TV to bid directly The flooding and extreme wet weather that has hit key The anti-siphoning debate for four AFL games a week. Communications Minister wheat growing regions in New South Wales will take the Some blockbuster AFL games could disappear from free- Stephen Conroy unveiled a two-tiered system, in which shine off expected earnings of eastern Australia’s largest to-air television and be shown exclusively on pay TV under major events such as the Melbourne Cup, the AFL grand grain storage and handler GrainCorp. Small businesses in proposed changes to anti-siphoning laws. Communications final and the Australian Open tennis finals will be required to flood affected areas of New South Wales have also been Minister Stephen Conroy has flagged plans to remove be broadcast live on the main free-to-air channels. hit hard by the extensive flooding and it will take several at least four games a week from the anti-siphoning list – months for them to recover, the Financial Review reported. opening the way for Foxtel to bid directly for those games, Other events such as the Olympics, AFL home and away The Herald Sun reported that Australian Crop Forecasters The Age reported. games and preliminary tennis matches will be able to be chief executive Ron Storey estimated the loss to the wheat shown on the digital multi-channel’s operated by Nine, harvest because of the rain at $1b and expected up to 30 Seven and Ten. The anti-siphoning list has been expanded

9 9 NOVEMBER to 18 DECEMBER 2010

to reflect the growth of Twenty20 cricket and to include media company’s chief executive, David Gyngell, replaced maths, after the states failed to agree on what year level is World Cup soccer qualifiers. it with Nine Entertainment Co. appropriate. Also, the Vietnam War will no longer be taught Other events have been removed from the list, including the to students in prep to year 10 when the national curriculum early rounds of Wimbledon, British Open golf and England Early summer break is introduced, following concerns the history syllabus was Australia one-day cricket matches in Britain. Pay television The Herald Sun reported that the ABC’s flagship current too crowded. also gets a win by gaining direct access to four AFL matches affairs shows, including Four Corners, Q&A, Australian Story per round. This is the same number shown on pay now, and Media Watch, finished for the year in early November. A social constructivist approach although under the current agreement Foxtel has to source Viewers won’t see them again until mid-February. The ABC The proposed national geography curriculum lacks clarity their games from free-to-air networks. Under the new rules conceded some of its most high-profile programs are being and quality, with New South Wales geographers concerned they can bid directly for them. rested a long way ahead of the summer break. The national it contains an inadequate focus on physical geography and broadcaster cited budgetary constraints and programming the study of capes and bays, which underpins the study Rupert reasons for the shows not being aired of the discipline, The Australian reported. The New South News Corporation boss Rupert Murdoch met with Prime Wales Board of Studies argues the proposed curriculum Minister Julia Gillard and later with opposition leader Tony No longer a report will overemphasise social and economic geography at the Abbott regarding a looming decision about the sports The Age reported that the revamped 7.30 Report will be expense of the study of the physical world. The sample broadcasting rules that reserve premium events for free TV. hosted by Leigh Sales, and Canberra-based correspondent structure from the course suggests students in years 7-10 The decision will have an impact on Murdoch’s Australian Chris Uhlmann, who is the husband of the federal MP for take a cultural/social ‘constructivist’ approach. pay television interests, The Age reported. Canberra, Labor backbencher Gai Brodtmann. Sales will generally front the program, but when big stories break It’s not that Brad Following on in the nation’s capital, Uhlmann will host from there. Both Brad Orgill, the man overseeing the investigation into the Iron ore magnate Gina Rinehart has won a push for a board Sales and Uhlmann hail from senior positions at the ABC. $16b schools building program has challenged Coalition seat at the Ten Network. The move came after Rinehart When the pair start in March the show will be renamed 7.30, criticisms, claiming there is no evidence value for money conducted a $165m raid on the free-to-air broadcaster’s and have the brief of incorporating more state-based stories has not been achieved. Orgill, a former chairman and chief shares, The Age reported. in its mix. executive of investment bank UBS, was appointed in April The weekly John Clarke and Bryan Dawe segment will by then Education Minister Julia Gillard to lead a taskforce Staying the course continue, and Heather Ewart will continue in her role to investigate complaints about the program. The program Fairfax Media chairman Roger Corbett has pledged that covering federal politics. Annabel Crabb will become a was the single largest element of the $42b stimulus package the company’s direction will remain on course, despite regular contributor to the show. The ABC has also finalised launched in February last year. the departure of chief executive and architect of a new plans to shift its weekday morning children’s television management structure, Brian McCarthy. Non-executive programming from ABC 1 to digital channel ABC 2 as of Back to school director Greg Hywood is acting CEO. Two months after May 2011 and replace it with ABC News Breakfast, which The Government’s My School website could be delayed for quitting as chief executive of Tourism Victoria to join the runs from 6 am to 9 am weekdays. months after Schools Minister Peter Garrett was forced board of Fairfax Media, Hywood has inherited the top job to concede that financial data for some private schools after another management shakeup, The Age reported. contained serious errors. The revised version of the website EDuCATioN was due go live at the beginning of December but will Australia overseas now not be launched until next year. Independent schools, Foreign Affairs Minister Kevin Rudd has kept open the Baby steps which had sought legal advice to prevent the publication of possibility of Rupert Murdoch’s News Corporation winning The Age reported an Australian national curriculum is a inaccurate financial data on the website, and which they Australia’s overseas television broadcasting service from step closer to reality after the education ministers agreed to said could destroy their reputations, applauded the launch the ABC. The government will put out to tender a 10-year begin introducing national courses in English, history, maths delay of the revised website. Garrett said accounting firm contract to run the Australian Network, currently accessible and science. That the minister stopped short of giving final Deloitte had identified flaws in the methodology used to to 32 million households in 44 countries through satellite approval, ordering further adjustments to be completed by report schools repayment of loans on the website. This and cable. next October. Schools Minister Peter Garrett hailed the had led to the website incorrectly stating that some private The network is largely financed by an annual $20m agreement as an historic and bold step which would lift schools incurred losses, when in fact, they may have sold allocation from the Department of Foreign Affairs and educational standards. assets to repay loans, The Age reported. Trade. The ABC has run the service since 2001, beating off a bid from Murdoch’s part-owned Sky TV in 2005 in the The function of memorial sites Meanwhile, the backdown came as Garrett prepared for last tender. The Herald Sun reported that if the draft modern history a showdown over the national curriculum at a meeting curriculum is approved, year 11 and 12 students would with education ministers, with New South Wales already ABC chief executive Mark Scott has argued that the learn of alleged controversies surrounding the purpose and indicating it will reject the curriculum in its current form. Australian Network is a key instrument of soft power for function of memorial sites and commemorative events. A While the former Victorian government was a staunch Australia, and sits naturally with a public broadcaster spokesman to the Australian Curriculum Assessment and advocate of the national curriculum, new Education Minister without conflicting commercial interests. Lobbyists for Reporting Authority said there was a view that asked should Martin Dixon has flagged a more cautious approach. News Corp say it should showcase the best of Australian we be glorifying Gallipoli? news media, not recycle ABC content, The Age reported. Profiteering taught at uni Scott has had his contract extended by another five years. Transferred and transformed Companies that sell school league tables based on During his first term, he extended the ABC beyond its The Age reported that the chairman of the body charged with information on the My School website could be sued traditional role into new media. The former Fairfax media writing the national curriculum, Professor Barry McGaw, under the changes to the sight to be announced by School executive and journalist, 48, also won funding for a kids’ conceded the national curriculum could be delayed – despite Education Minister Peter Garrett, The Age reported. channel, ABC3, and funded a 24-hour news channel by education ministers committing to it being substantially savings from moving to studio automation, The Australian implemented by the end of 2013 – if states felt teachers Box tickers crossed off reported. were insufficiently trained or resourced. He also said more Denise Bradley, interim chairwoman of the new Tertiary work needed to be done on the science curriculum, with Education Quality and Standards Agency, criticised the Vale concerns that big ideas had been lost in the detail. This low standard of state regulatory bodies and assured the The Australian reported that Kerry Packer made it one of included key science concepts such as energy can be sector that she won’t be taking on box tickers. She said the biggest corporate brands in Australian media, but the transferred and transformed. The national curriculum will she would be seeking auditors of the standard employed Publishing & Broadcasting Ltd name is no more after the also no longer mandate when calculators are introduced in

14 LETTER FROM CANBERRA

goVErNANCE

Measuring Public Opinion For Over 65 Years – The Roy Morgan ResearchRole Centre and Limitedreach A.B.N. 91 004 433 265 – Quality System Certified to AS/NZS ISONew 9001 priorities and the political demands of heading a minority government have boosted the role and reach Finding No. 4617 of the Prime Minister’s Department within the federal Available on Website: www.roymorgan.combureaucracy. Julia Gillard is now assisted as Prime Minister On December 13, 2010 by five ministers and two parliamentary secretaries. Her department, the Department of the Prime Minister and See Roy Morgan Online Store Cabinet has also strengthened its leadership role across the federal bureaucracy, the Financial Review reported. On the opinion pages in The Age, Michelle Grattan wrote that This release includes analysis by Gender,Julia Age Gillard &has aState problem with authority – that is, her lack Gillard (46%, up 2%) still Preferred as Prime Minister overof it. Abbott (39%, up 3%) Prime Minister Julia Gillard (46%, up 2% since August 25/26, 2010) is still preferredTortuous paths as Prime Minister over Opposition Leader Tony Abbott (39%, up 3%) according to a special telephoneThe Morgan Australian’s Poll economics conducted correspondent over Davidthe last Uren five days (December 8-12, 2010). wrote that Australia’s new parliament has shown itself capable of endless diversion on matters such as same-sex Despite electors preferring Gillard as Prime Minister, more electors approve of themarriage, way O ppositionboat people andLeader wild rivers, Tony with Abbott euthanasia is to handling his job (50%, down 3% since August 25/26, 2010) than approve of the waycome, Julia while Gillard the pivotal is economic handling issue her of thejob past (49%, month unchanged) as Prime Minister. or so appears to be whether our banks are too healthy. at the AustralianSignificantly Universities Quality more Agency, women which approve will be ofto Gillard’snational health, handling saying more of detailsthe job are (52%,required upto get 2%) thanThe government’s disapprove three (32%, major economicdown 2%), policy whilegoals this absorbed by menTEQSA. are much more evenly split withthe 46% new (downstructure 2%)over the appr line.oving Gillard pledgedof Gillard’s she would handling term – ofthe themining job tax, and the NBN43% and (up a carbon 3%) price – appear disapproving. continue to push the health reforms, now under threat from destined to face a tortuous path. There is little stomach for Silent strategyMen and women have a similar viewnew of stateTony governments. Abbott’s handling of the job as Oppositionbold new policyLead directions.er with 51% (down 1%) of The new overseasmen studentand 48% strategy (down that Education 6%) of Minister women approving of Abbott’s handling of the job while 40% (down 1%) of men and 38% (up Chris Evans3%) will sell of in women China is silentdisapproving on tough new of Visa Abbott’s Pick and handling choose of the job. True to form rules that are devastating the multibillion dollar industry, The The government is choosing locations for its 65 GP super The Financial Review’s Marcus Priest wrote that Parliament Analysis by State – Better Prime Minister Australian reported. clinics, at a cost of more than $600m, free of oversight by ended the year in farce. More than 20 per cent of the House Analysis by State reveals Gillard is greatlythe Health preferred Department, as says ‘Be thetter secretary Prime of Minister’ the Health to ofAbbott Representatives in South were Australia absent and most (Gillard of the crossbench – 53% cf. Abbott – 29%) and Western AustraliaDepartment, (Gillard Jane –Halton 53%. cf. Abbott 31%) while in walkedthe key out inState disgust. of The Queensland, House was forced which to sit to vote on swung heavilyHEAlTH against the Gillard Government at the recent Federal election, Abbotta Telstra (47%) separation is clearly bill and preferred two other pieces to Gillard of legislation (33%) – the only State in which AbbottThe isGovernment’s regarded $645m as the GP ‘Better super clinic Prime rollout Minister.’ is failing by the Opposition, which delayed their passage in the Think againIn New South Wales: Gillard (48%) cf.to meet Abbott its key (40%), objectives Vict of oria: providing Gillard bulk billing (48%) and cf. AbbottSenate. Only (39%) 120 members and Tasmania: turned up for Gillard the day’s sitting A feud over national(47%) health cf. Abbott reforms has (38%) begun thealong results party areafter-hours very similar doctors, toThe the Australian overall reported. national The figures. policy (parliament sat on Friday and came back to Canberra for lines, with new Victorian Premier Ted Baillieu accusing is running behind schedule and is under fire for diverting the following Monday), which is estimated to have cost at Analysis by State – Job Performance – Approve/Disapprove Canberra of misleading the public, and New South Wales resources from areas of most need. It has been designed to least $500,000. Premier KristineQueensland Keneally portrayingis the only Baillieu State as ain deal which take more pressure electors off emergency disapprove departments. (49%) An audit than by approveThe (38%) of Julia Gillard’s handling of wrecker. the job as Prime Minister, while NSWAustralian is the ofmost all seven evenly of the split,operational with clinics slightly found onlymore approvingGreen face. Strong (47%) Costa than disapproving In an ominous(41%) sign of for Gillard’sJulia Gillard’s handling reform agendaof the job.one – Devonport in Tasmania – had after-hours services Julia Gillard must confront the Greens to save the Labor in federal-stateClearly relations, more Baillieu electors used hisapprove first pressthan disapprthat wereove run in-house.of Gillard’s Two of thehandling seven clinics of theaudited job – in Victoria:Party and stop Approve practising (51%)the politics cf. of disapproveappeasement with conference as(33%); Premier WA: to say Approve he wanted (60%) to expose cf. the disapprove Ballan in Victoria(27%); and SA: Strathpine Approve in Queensland (56%) – cf.provided disapprove the far (30%)left, according and to Tasmania: analysis by former Approve New South Wales content of the(49%) hospitals cf. agreementdisapprove so Victorians(35%). knew universal bulk billing, with most other clinics only providing (Labor) treasurer Michael Costa. Writing in The Australian exactly what they had signed up for. Federal Health it to under-16s and concession card holders. Costa criticises the voodoo politics that has Meanwhile, SA is the only State in which more electors disapprove (46%) than approveLiterary Review(41%) of Tony Abbott’s handling Minister Nicola Roxon said details of the hospital reform allowed ALP policy to become a slave to focus groups and of the job as Prime Minister. agreement had been publicly available for months and were Its health calls for the abolition of the diseased New South Wales Right on the internet.In allShe othersaid she States was not more going toelectors make any approve The Australian than disapprove reported that theof long-awaitedAbbott’s handlingMyHospitals of thefaction. job. NSW: Approve (52%) cf. judgements ondisapprove what the Victorian (40%); Liberals Victoria: choose to Approve read website, (48% allowing) cf. disapprove easy comparisons (40%); of waiting Queensland: times against Approve (47%) cf. disapprove (38%); WA: Approve (55%) cf. disapprove (36%) and Tasmania: Approve (62%) cf. disapprove (31%). on theFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE federal website, The Australian reported. national benchmarks, was embroiled in controversy within Labor must also confront entrenched union power, he says. The Age reportedThis that Morgan Gillard will Poll argue finds that simpleFederal maths voting hours intention of going live, in amid favour claims of that the the L-NPdata is too (54.5%) old to be cf. HisALP writing (45.5%). was published on the same day The Australian make it in the new Victorian government’s interests not to useful and the states have sought to hamstring the project. reported that Labor and the Greens split over emissions repudiate theGary hospital Morgan deal reached says: by John Brumby. In reduction targets, with Climate Change Minister Greg the Herald Sun, Phillip “ThisHudson specialwrote that telephone with New South Morgan The secondPoll conducted draft over the last five days, DecemberCombet and 8-12, Greens 2010, deputy shows leader Christine clear Milne trading Wales and Queenslanddifferences Labor to face voters between in the next States year in Ahow three-month-old electors view draft Pr Healthime CareMinister Identifies Julia Service Gillard blows and over Opposition Australia’s greenhouse Leader gas Tony emissions targets. or so – and both expected to be thrashed – suddenly the implementation plan is being reissued almost unchanged Abbott. Queensland remains the State least in favour of Julia Gillard – the only State in which more eastern seaboard could be Liberal blue. It never hurt John by NEHTA but a project plan is still some way off. National Costa wrote that Labor cannot win a political war with the electors believe Abbott (47%) would make a ‘Better Prime Minister’ than Gillard (33%). Howard’s Liberals to have state Labor governments across E-health Transition Authority public affairs chief Heather Greens. Labor must reframe the debate and be focused on the country. But there“Even are good more reasons worryingly, for Gillard to be more Hunt electors says the in materialQueensland and timelines disapprove provided in (49%) the HI of theGillard’s destructive handling consequences of boththe socialjob and economic of worried about the Victorianas Prime result. Minister than approveimplementation (38%) – again, approach Queensland and communication is the strategy only StateGreens’ in which policies. more The Greens electors need to be confronted rather disapprove of Gillard’s handlingwere of only the designed job than to show approve. the public that the service than appeased. In the Financial Review, Tony Walker, that Nearby will be adopted incrementally, rather than overnight in all paper’s international editor and former political editor, wrote The FinancialThis Review special reported telephone that the New Morgan South Wales Poll waslocations, conducted The Australian over reported. the last five days of Decemberthat Gillard 8-12, would 2010, be mistaken with toan ignore Australia-wide the implications of coalition wantscross the federal section government of 1,078 to reveal electors. exactly how Brumby’s defeat in Victoria for her leadership in a week in much goods and services tax (GST) revenue401 theCollins states Street, will Melbourne, Victoria 3000, G.P.O. Box 2282U, Melbourne, Victoriawhich 3001,her party’s Australia entrails were further exposed. He quoted have to dedicate to health fundingTel: (03) under 9629 proposed 6888 Fax: reforms (03) 9629 1250 (03) 9622 8387 Email: [email protected] Website: www.roymorgan.com Offices also in: Sydney, Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth, Canberra, London, Auckland & USA

15 9 NOVEMBER to 18 DECEMBER 2010

to reflect the growth of Twenty20 cricketMeasuring and to include Public mediaOpinion company’s For Over chief 65 executive, Years – DavidThe Roy Gyngell Morgan, replaced Research maths, Centre after Limited the states failed to agree on what year level is World Cup soccer qualifiers. A.B.N. 91it with004 Nine433 Entertainment265 – Quality Co. System Certified to AS/NZS ISOappropriate. 9001 Also, the Vietnam War will no longer be taught Other events have been removed from the list, including the to students in prep to year 10 when the national curriculum early rounds of Wimbledon, British Open golf and England Early summer break is introduced, following concerns the history syllabus was Measuring Public Opinion For OverFinding 65 Years No. – The 4608 Roy Morgan Research Centre Limited Australia one-day cricket matches in Britain. Pay televisionA.B.N. 91The 004 Herald 433 Sun265 reported– Quality that System the ABC’s Certified flagship to AS/NZS current ISOtoo 9001 crowded. also gets a win by gaining direct access to four AFL matchesAvailable affairs shows, on includingWebsite: Four Corners www.roymorgan.com, Q&A, Australian Story On December 14, 2010 per round. This is the same number shown on pay now, and Media WatchFinding, finished for No. the year4608 in early November. A social constructivist approach although under the current agreement Foxtel has to source Viewers won’t see them again until mid-February. The ABC The proposed national geography curriculum lacks clarity their games from free-to-air networks. Under the new rulesAvailable conceded someon Website:of its most high-profile www.roymorgan.com programs are being and quality, with New South Wales geographers concerned they can Finalbid directly forMorgan them. Poll first torested show a longOn way aheadDecemberswing of the summer & 20, winbreak. 2010 The to national Baillieu-led it contains an inadequate L-NP focus onOpposition physical geography and ‘Reactor’ showedbroadcaster why cited budgetary voters constraints swung and programming away the studyfrom of capes Brumby and bays, which underpins the study Rupert reasons for the shows not being aired of the discipline, The Australian reported. The New South News CorporationFinal boss MorganRupert Murdochby GaryPollmet with PrimefirstMorgan, to show Michele swing Levine & andwin Julianto Baillieu-led McCrannWales Board of StudiesL-NP argues Opposition the proposed curriculum Minister Julia Gillard and later with‘Reactor’ opposition leader Tony showed No longer whya report voters swung awaywill fromoveremphasise Brumby social and economic geography at the The Morgan Poll was the first to predict the late swing to the Victorian L-NP Opposition – and a Liberal-National Abbott regarding a looming decision about the sports The Age reported that the revamped 7.30 Report will be expense of the study of the physical world. The sample broadcastingCoalition rules that win reserve – justpremium byenough events Gary for tofree Morgan,dislodge TV. hosted the byMichele Leigh Brumby Sales, andLevine G Canberra-basedovernment and correspondent andJulian allow McCrann Liberalstructure from Party the course Leader suggests Ted students Baillieu in years 7-10to become the new Premier of Victoria. The decisionThe will Morgan have an impact Poll on was Murdoch’s the firstAustralian to predicChris tUhlmann the late, who swing is the husband to the of Victorianthe federal MP L-NPfor take Opposition a cultural/social – ‘constructivist’and a Liberal-National approach. pay televisionTheCoalition final interests, Morgan Thewin Age – reported.justPoll enoughon Victorian to dislodge votingCanberra, theintention Labor Brumby backbencher (released Government Gai FridayBrodtmann andNovember. Sales allow will Liberal26, 2010) Party showed Leader the TedL-NP Baillieu (51%, upto 5.4% sincebecome the 2006 the new Victorian Premier election) of Victoria. holdinggenerally a narrow, front the program,but winning, but when lead big stories over break the ALPIt’s not (49%, that Brad down 5.4%) – virtually the same Following on in the nation’s capital, Uhlmann will host from there. Both Brad Orgill, the man overseeing the investigation into the result as available today from the VEC. Iron ore magnateThe final Gina RinehartMorgan has Pollwon a onpush Victorian for a board votingSales and intention Uhlmann hail (released from senior Friday positions November at the ABC. 26,$16b 2010) schools showed building programthe L-NP has challenged(51%, up Coalition 5.4% seat atThe thesince TenMorgan Network.the 2006 Poll The Victorian movepredicted came afterelection) a narrowRinehart holding L-NPWhen thevictorya narrow,pair start on in Marchbut a Two-Party winning, the show will lead be preferred renamed over 7.30 the basis, ALPcriticisms, and (49%, was claiming downalso there the 5.4%) is closest no evidence– virtually pollster value forthe to money samethe conductedprimaryresult a $165m as vote raidthe resultsonVictorian the free-to-air for electionthe broadcaster’s major – L-NPparties and (51.3%) have– ALP, the brief cf. L-NP of ALP incorporating & (48.7%). Greens. more state-based Newspoll, stories which has predictednot been achieved. a similar Orgill, a formerTwo-Party chairman andpreferred chief shares,result The Age of reported. L-NP (51.1%) cf. ALP (48.9%),in its howevermix. wrongly called a ‘Hung Parliament,’executive ofand investment wasn’t bank as UBS, accurate was appointed for the in April The Morgan Poll predicted a narrow L-NPThe weekly victory John onClarke a Two-Partyand Bryan Dawe preferred segment will basis by and then was Education also Minister the closest Julia Gillard pollster to lead ato taskforce the parties primary results – including significantly underestimating the ALP vote (by 3.2%). On the Two-Party preferred Staying primarythe course vote results for the major partiescontinue, – ALP, and Heather L-NP Ewart& Greens. will continue Newspoll, in her role which to investigatepredicted complaints a similar about Two-Party the program. The preferred program Fairfaxresults Mediaresult chairman the of L-NPHerald-Sun Roger (51.1%) Corbett Galaxyhas cf. pledged ALP poll that(48.9%), wascovering out however by federal 0.9% politics. wrongly and Annabel The called Age/Nielsen Crabb a will‘Hung become byParliament,’ a1.1%. was Thethe single and Sky largest wasn’t News element as Exit accurateof the Poll $42b wasstimulus for thenot package as the company’saccurate,parties direction primary out by will 3.1%. remainresults on – course, including despite significantlyregular contributor underestimating to the show. The ABC the has ALP also finalised vote (by launched 3.2%). in OnFebruary the lastTwo-Party year. preferred the departureresults of chiefThe executive Age/Nielsen and architect poll of was a new out byplans 0.7% to shift and its Herald-Sun weekday morning Galaxy children’s poll television by 1.3%. The Sky News Exit Poll was not as managementaccurate, structure, out Brian byVICTORIAN McCarthy2.7%. . Non-executive VOTINGprogramming from INTENTION ABC 1 to digital channel ABC– Primary2 as of Back Voteto school Predictions director Greg Hywood is acting CEO. Victorian Two months after MayNov 2011 and22-25 replace it withNov ABC News23-24 Breakfast , whichNov 24-25The Government’s Nov My23-25 School website couldNov be delayed 27 for quitting as chief executive of TourismVICTORIAN Victoria to join the VOTINGruns from 6 am to INTENTION 9 am weekdays. – Primarymonths Vote after Schools Prediction Minister Peters Garrett was forced board of Fairfax Media, Hywood has inheritedElection the top job Telephone Telephone Telephoneto concede Telephone that financial data for someExit private Poll schools NovVictorian 27, Nov 22-25 NovGalaxy 23-24 NovThe 24-25 Age Nov 23-25 Nov 27 after another management shakeup, The Age reported. Morgan Poll contained seriousNewspoll errors. The revised versionSky of Newsthe website Election2010 TelephoneEDuCATHerald-SunTelephoneioN TeleNielsenphonewas due goTelephone live at the beginning of Exit December Poll but will ActualNov Result 27, * % error %Galaxyerror %The Ageerror % error % error Australia overseas Morgan Poll now not beNewspoll launched until next year. IndependentSky News schools, Foreign Affairs Minister Kevin Rudd has kept2010 open the Baby steps Herald-Sun Nielsenwhich had sought legal advice to prevent the publication of possibilitySample of Rupert Murdoch’sSize NewsActual Corporation(3,164,731) Result winning * The % Age(990) reportederror an Australian% (800) nationalerror curriculum% is (1,533) a errorinaccurate financial%(1,451)error data on the website,% (3,000+) and whicherror they Australia’s overseas television broadcasting service from step closer to reality after the education ministers agreed to said could destroy their reputations, applauded the launch the ABC.L-NP TheSample government Size will put out to(3,164,731) tender44.8 a 10-year begin44.5 introducing (990)-0.3 national courses44(800) in English,-0.8 history, maths45(1,533) delay+0.2 of the45 revised(1,451) website.+0.2 Garrett said48(3,000+) accounting +3.2 firm contract to run the Australian Network, currently accessible and science. That the minister stopped short of giving final Deloitte had identified flaws in the methodology used to to 32 millionALPL-NP households in 44 countries through36.244.8 satellite approval,35.544.5 ordering-0.7-0.3 further adjustments3644 to-0.8-0.2 be completed4534 by +0.2report-2.2 schools4533 repayment+0.2-3.2 of loans 48 on35 the website.+3.2-1.2 This and cable. next October. Schools Minister Peter Garrett hailed the had led to the website incorrectly stating that some private The networkGreensALP is largely financed by an11.2 annual36.2 $20m agreement35.513 as +1.8 an-0.7 historic and1436 bold step+2.8-0.2 which would3414 lift -2.2schools+2.8 incurred3315 losses,-3.2+3.8 when in fact,35 12they may have-1.2+0.8 sold allocation from the Department of Foreign Affairs and educational standards. assets to repay loans, The Age reported. Trade. The ABCGreens has run the service since 2001,11.2 beating off 13 +1.8 14 +2.8 14 +2.8 15 +3.8 12 +0.8 a bid fromInd/Other Murdoch’s part-owned Sky TV in7.8 2005 in the The7 function of-0.8 memorial sites6 -1.8 6 Meanwhile,-1.8 7 the backdown-0.8 came as Garrett5 prepared-2.8 for last tender. The Herald Sun reported that if the draft modern history a showdown over the national curriculum at a meeting Av.Ind/Other error on 7.8 7 -0.8 6 -1.8 6 -1.8 7 -0.8 5 -2.8 curriculum is approved,0.9 year 11 and 121.4 students would with1.75 education ministers,2.0 with New South Wales already2.0 ABC chiefall executive parties Mark Scott has argued that the learn of alleged controversies surrounding the purpose and indicating it will reject the curriculum in its current form. Av. error on AustralianPREDICTED Network is a key instrument of soft power for functionClose of memorial 0.9 sites and commemorativeClose1.4 events. AClear 1.75While the formerHung Victorian2.0 government wasBig a staunch2.0 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE all parties Australia,OUTCOME and sits naturally with a public broadcaster spokesmanL-NP to win the Australian ALPCurriculum win Assessment L-NPand advocatewin ofParliament the national curriculum, new EducationL-NP winMinister PREDICTED Close Close Clear Hung Big withoutFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE conflicting commercial interests. Lobbyists for Reporting Authority said there was a view that asked should Martin Dixon has flagged a more cautious approach. News Corp OUTCOMEsay it shouldVICTORIAN showcase the best of Australian VOTING we beL-NP glorifying INTENTION win Gallipoli? ALP –win Two PartyL-NP win Preferred Parliament PredictionL-NPs *win news media, not recycle ABC content, The Age reported. Profiteering taught at uni Scott hasL-NP had his contractVICTORIAN extended by another50.9 five VOTING years. Transferred51 INTENTION and+0.1 transformed 50 – Two-0.9 Party52 +1.1CompaniesPreferred51.1 that sell Prediction+0.2 school league 54 tabless* based+3.1 on During his firstL-NP term, he extended the ABC51.3 beyond its The51 Age reported-0.3 that the chairman50 of the body-1.3 charged with52 +0.7information51.1 on the My-0.2 School website54 could be+2.7 sued traditionalALP role into new media. The former 49.1Fairfax media writing49 the national-0.1 curriculum,50 Professor+0.9 Barry McGaw48, under-1.1 the 48.9changes to the-0.2 sight to be announced46 by School-3.1 executive andALP journalist, 48, also won funding48.7 for a kids’ conceded49 the national+0.3 curriculum 50 could be +1.3delayed – despite48 -0.7Education48.9 Minister Peter+0.2 Garrett , The46 Age reported.-2.7 channel, ABC3,L-NP and Lead funded a 24-hour news1.8 channel by education2 ministers committing- to it being substantially4 2.2 8 savings fromL-NP moving Leadto studio automation, The2.6 Australian implemented2 by the end of 2013- – if states felt teachers4 Box tickers2.2 crossed off 8 reported. Ave error were insufficiently0.1 trained or resourced. He0.9 also said more Denise1.1 Bradley, interim0.2 chairwoman of the new Tertiary3.1 VictorianAve Electoralerror Commission (http://www.tallyroom.vic.gov.au/work needed to 0.3be done on). the VEC science Election curriculum,1.3 results with at 4pm,0.7Education Monday Quality December and0.2 Standards 13, 2010. Agency, criticised2.7 the Vale *TheVictorian Two-Party Electoral preferred Commission vote is yet(http://www.tallyroom.vic.gov.au/ to be releasedconcerns and that the big ideasfigure had quoted). beenVEC lost Electionhere in theis baseddetail. results Thison at past 4pm,low voting Monday standard trends ofDecember state at the regulatory 2006 13, 2010. bodiesVicto rian and assuredelection. the The Australian*The reported Two-Party that Kerry preferred Packer vote made is it yet one to of be releasedincluded keyand science the figure concepts quoted such here as energyis based can on be past sectorvoting that trends she won’t at the be 2006taking Victoon boxrian tickers. election. She said the biggest corporate brands in Australian media, but the transferred and transformed. The national curriculum will she would be seeking auditors of the standard employed Publishing & Broadcasting Ltd name is401 no Collinsmore after Street, the Melbourne,also no longer Victoria mandate 3000, when G.P.O. calculators Box 2282U,are introduced Melbourne, in Victoria 3001, Australia Tel: (03) 9629401 6888 Collins Fax: (03)Street, 9629 Melbourne, 1250 (03) Victoria 9622 8387 3000, Email: G.P.O. [email protected] Box 2282U, Melbourne, Victoria Website: 3001, Australia www.roymorgan.com Tel: (03) 9629 6888 Fax: (03) 9629 1250 (03) 9622 8387 Email: [email protected] Website: www.roymorgan.com 14 LETTER FROM CANBERRA

The Morgan Poll is clearly the most accurate on primary voting intention and the Green vote. The average error was 0.9% for the L-NP, ALP, Greens & Independent/Others. Galaxy (1.4% averageg error)oVEr NANCEwas the next best followed by The Age/Nielsen (1.75% average error – although it must be noted that the figures for this poll were rounded and together add to only 99%), Sky News Exit Poll (2.0% average error)Role and and reach Newspoll (2.0% average New priorities and the political demands of heading a error). minority government have boosted the role and reach The final result for the pollsters for the 2010 Victorian State election once againof the showed Prime Minister’s the Morgan Department Poll within providing the federal the most accurate result of all major pollsters – the prediction of a narrow L-NPbureaucracy. win (L-NP Julia Gillard 51% is now cf. assisted ALP as 49%).Prime Minister This by five ministers and two parliamentary secretaries. Her follows the successful Morgan Poll prediction of the Federal election – A Hungdepartment, Parliament the Department of the Prime Minister and (http://www.roymorgan.com/news/polls/2010/4572) – once again the first pollsterCabinet hasto call also strengthenedthis result. its leadership role across the federal bureaucracy, the Financial Review reported. On the opinion pages in The Age, Michelle Grattan wrote that Julia Gillard has a problem with authority – that is, her lack ‘Reactor’ showed why voters swung awayof it.from Brumby On Friday November 26, when all other polls were predicting a win for Brumby’s ALP, the Morgan Poll Tortuous paths showed a swing to the L-NP, (http://www.roymorgan.com/news/polls/2010/4607) for the first time putting The Australian’s economics correspondent David Uren them in a winning position (+3.5% to 51% L-NP cf. 49% ALP). wrote that Australia’s new parliament has shown itself Even at that time, the eve of the Victorian State election, it’s worth pointing outcapable that of endless61% diversionof electors on matters expected such as same-sex marriage, boat people and wild rivers, with euthanasia to the Brumby ALP Government to be returned. come, while the pivotal economic issue of the past month Many will rewrite the history of the dramatic change in elector sentiment thator saw so appears the ALP to be whetherlose what our banks was are too healthy. at the Australianthought Universities to be an Quality unloseable Agency, which election will be to(or national altern health,atively saying moreTed details Baillieu are required win toan get unwinnable The government’s election). three major economic policy goals this absorbed by TEQSA. the new structure over the line. Gillard pledged she would term – the mining tax, the NBN and a carbon price – appear However, the evidence from the Roycontinue Morgan to push Poll the health is clear. reforms, now under threat from destined to face a tortuous path. There is little stomach for Silent strategy new state governments. bold new policy directions. The newIn overseas the last student week strategy of thatthe Education campaign, Minister the Roy Morgan Qualitative Research and quantitative issues data, along Chris Evanswith willthe sell Roy in China Morgan is silent on ‘Reactor’ tough new Visa on aPick series and chooseof campaign TV ads, (http://www.roymorgan.com/news/press-True to form rules thatreleases/2010/1218 are devastating the multibillion) all dollar pointed industry, The in theThe same government direction is choosing – locationsthe ALP for its was 65 GP in super trouble. The Financial Review’s Marcus Priest wrote that Parliament Australian reported. clinics, at a cost of more than $600m, free of oversight by ended the year in farce. More than 20 per cent of the House The early phase of the Victorian Statethe election Health Department, was dominated says the secretary by ofthe the ‘rise Health of ofthe Representatives Greens.’ were Even absent after and most the of the crossbench Liberals decided to preference the GreensDepartment, last Jane (November Halton. 15), the Morgan Pollwalked (conducted out in disgust. TheNovember House was forced 16/17, to sit to vote on 2010) showedHEA thelTH Greens had enough elector support to win 3 or even 4 innera MelbourneTelstra separation seats.bill and two other pieces of legislation The Government’s $645m GP super clinic rollout is failing by the Opposition, which delayed their passage in the Think However,again it was short-lived and by Novemberto meet its key 24 objectives the Morgan of providing Poll bulk (conducted billing and Senate. November Only 120 members 22/23 turned) reported up for the the day’s sitting A feud Greenover national vote health had reforms dissipated has begun alongand party Labor after-hours looked doctors,set to Theretain Australian the reported.four inner The policy Melbourne (parliament seats. sat on Friday and came back to Canberra for lines, with new Victorian Premier Ted Baillieu accusing is running behind schedule and is under fire for diverting the following Monday), which is estimated to have cost at CanberraWhile of misleading the focus the public, was and on New the South battle Wales betweenresources thefrom areasALP of mostand need. the ItGreens, has been designed there to was least little $500,000. ‘air-time’ for Ted Baillieu Premierwho Kristine ran Keneally a straight portraying campaign Baillieu as on a deal crime, take transport pressure off emergency and cutting departments. State An Governmentaudit by The costs and charges. wrecker.Then, the Baillieu Knight Frank ALPAustralian ads – of ( http://www.onlinereactor.com.au/Player.aspx?jid=23%C2%B6m=partyall seven of the operational clinics found only Green face. Strong Costa ) In an ominous sign for Julia Gillard’s reform agenda one – Devonport in Tasmania – had after-hours services Julia Gillard must confront the Greens to save the Labor in federal-state • relations, BaillieuGave used Ted his firstBaillieu press thethat ‘airwere runtime’ in-house. he desperatelyTwo of the seven clinicsneeded; audited and – Party and stop practising the politics of appeasement with conference as Premier to say he wanted to expose the Ballan in Victoria and Strathpine in Queensland – provided the far left, according to analysis by former New South Wales content of the • hospitals agreementIncreased so Victorians his knewawareness, universal and bulk billing,electors’ with most knowledge other clinics only of providing him; (Labor) treasurer Michael Costa. Writing in The Australian exactly what they had signed up for. Federal Health it to under-16s and concession card holders. Literary Review Costa criticises the voodoo politics that has Minister Nicola •Roxon said detailsIn ofa strangethe hospital twist,reform by trying to ‘paint’ Ted Baillieu as dishonest,allowed the ALP ALP’s policy to becomeadvertising a slave to wasfocus groups and agreement had been publicly availableseen for as months just and more were spinIts healthand ‘dirty tricks’ and gave Ted Baillieucalls the for themoral abolition high-ground. of the diseased New South Wales Right on the internet. She said she was not going to make any The Australian reported that the long-awaited MyHospitals faction. judgements on what the Victorian Liberals choose to read website, allowing easy comparisons of waiting times against on the Asfederal Gary website, Morgan The Australian said reported. on Novembernational 26: benchmarks, was embroiled in controversy within Labor must also confront entrenched union power, he says. The Age reported that Gillard will argue that simple maths hours of going live, amid claims that the data is too old to be His writing was published on the same day The Australian make it in the new Victorian government’s interests not to useful and the states have sought to hamstring the project. reported that Labor and the Greens split over emissions repudiate the hospital“In thedeal reachedRoy Morgan by John Brumby Qualitative. In Research designed to elicit concerns thereduction electorate targets, withmight Climate have Change about Minister a Greg the Herald Sun, PhillipTed BaillieuHudson wrote led that Governmentwith New South –The there second was draft no mention of corruption. TheCombet negative and Greens advertising deputy leader Christineclearly Milne trading Wales and Queenslanddid not Labor ‘stick’!” to face voters in the next year A three-month-old draft Health Care Identifies Service blows over Australia’s greenhouse gas emissions targets. or so – and both expected to be thrashed – suddenly the implementation plan is being reissued almost unchanged eastern seaboard could be Liberal blue. It never hurt John by NEHTA but a project plan is still some way off. National Costa wrote that Labor cannot win a political war with the Howard’s Liberals to have state Labor governments across E-health TransitionFor Authorityfurther public information affairs chief Heather: Greens. Labor must reframe the debate and be focused on the country. But there are good reasons for Gillard to be Hunt says the material and timelines provided in the HI the destructive consequences both social and economic of worried about the Victorian result. Gary Morgan:implementation Office approach+61 3 9224 and communication 5213 Mobile strategy +61Greens’ 411 policies. 129 The094 Greens need to be confronted rather were only designed to show the public that the service than appeased. In the Financial Review, Tony Walker, that Nearby Michele Levine:will be adoptedOffice incrementally, +61 3 9224 rather 5215than overnight Mobile in all +61paper’s 411 international 129 093 editor and former political editor, wrote The Financial Review reported that the New South Wales locations, The Australian reported. that Gillard would be mistaken to ignore the implications of coalition wants the federal government to reveal exactly how Brumby’s defeat in Victoria for her leadership in a week in much goods and services tax (GST) revenue the states will which her party’s entrails were further exposed. He quoted have to dedicate to health funding under proposed reforms

15 9 NOVEMBER to 18 DECEMBER 2010

to reflect the growth of Twenty20 cricket and to include media company’s chief executive, David Gyngell, replaced maths, after the states failed to agree on what year level is World Cup soccer qualifiers. it with Nine Entertainment Co. appropriate. Also, the Vietnam War will no longer be taught Other events have been removed from the list, including the to students in prep to year 10 when the national curriculum early rounds of Wimbledon, British Open golf and England Early summer breakRoy Morgan Research Ltd. is introduced, following concerns the history syllabus was Australia one-day cricket matches in Britain. Pay televisionA.B.N. 91The 007 Herald 092 Sun 944 reported – Quality that System the ABC’s Certified flagship currentto AS/NZS too crowded.ISO 9001 also gets a win by gaining direct access to four AFL matches affairs shows, including Four Corners, Q&A, Australian Story per round. This is the same number shown on pay now, and Media Watch, finishedArticle for theNo. year 1241 in early November. A social constructivist approach although under the current agreement Foxtel has to sourceAvailable Viewers won’t on see Website: them again until www.roymorgan.com mid-February. The ABC The proposed national geography curriculum lacks clarity their games from free-to-air networks. Under the new rules conceded some of its most high-profile programs are being and quality, with New South Wales geographers concerned they can bid directly for them. rested a long wayOn ahead December of the summer 17, break. 2010 The national it contains an inadequate focus on physical geography and broadcasterRoy cited budgetaryMorgan constraints Online and programming Store the study of capes and bays, which underpins the study Rupert Roy Morganreasons for the Holidayshows not being Leading aired Indicatorsof Report the discipline, The Australian reported. The New South News Corporation boss Rupert Murdoch met with Prime Wales Board of Studies argues the proposed curriculum Minister Julia Gillard and later with opposition leader Tony No longer a report will overemphasise social and economic geography at the Abbott regarding a looming decisionHoliday about the sports Intention The Age reported Down that the revamped in 7.30October Report will be 2010expense of Quarter the study of the physical world. The sample broadcasting rules that reserve premium events for free TV. hosted by Leigh Sales, and Canberra-based correspondent structure from the course suggests students in years 7-10 The decision willIn have the an threeimpact onmonths Murdoch’s to Australian October Chris 2010, Uhlmann 69%, who (12.8 is the million) husband of ofthe Australiansfederal MP for 14take ye a cultural/socialars or older ‘constructivist’ intend approach.to take at least pay television interests,one holiday The Age reported. in the next 12 months.Canberra, ThLaboris backbencheris down Gaislightly Brodtmann on. Salesthe willOcto ber 2009 quarter result of 70% (12.4 million). generally front the program, but when big stories break It’s not that Brad Following on In the latest Roy Morgan Researchin the nation’s Holiday capital, Tracking Uhlmann will Survey host from 57%there. Both intend Brad to Orgill holiday, the man in overseeing Australia the ininvestigation the next into the 12 Iron ore magnatemonths Gina Rinehart (down has won from a push 58% for a boardin the OctoberSales and Uhlmann 2009 hailquarter), from senior 8% positions intend at theto ABC.go overseas$16b schools in the building next program 12 months, has challenged unchanged Coalition seat at the Ten Network. The move came after Rinehart When the pair start in March the show will be renamed 7.30, criticisms, claiming there is no evidence value for money from the October 2009 result, and 4% can’t say whether their next trip will be domestic or international. conducted a $165m raid on the free-to-air broadcaster’s and have the brief of incorporating more state-based stories has not been achieved. Orgill, a former chairman and chief shares, The AgeIntention reported. to take a holiday in thein its next mix. 12 months executive of investment bank UBS, was appointed in April The weekly John Clarke and Bryan Dawe segment will by then Education Minister Julia Gillard to lead a taskforce 80% Staying the course continue, and Heather Ewart will continue in her role to investigate complaints aboutBase: the program.Australians The 14+ program Fairfax Media chairman Roger Corbett has pledged that covering federal politics. Annabel Crabb will become a was the single largest element of the $42b stimulus package Intend to take a Holiday in the next 12 months the company’s direction70% will remain on course, despite regular contributor to the show. The ABC has also finalised launched in February last year. the departure of chief executive70% and architect of a new plans to shift its weekday morning children’s television 70% 69% 67% management structure, Brian(Oct-05) McCarthy. Non-executive67% programming from ABC 1 to digital channel ABC 2 67%as of Back to school (Oct-09) (Oct-10) (Oct-06) (Oct-07) (Oct-08) director Greg Hywood60% is acting CEO. Two months after May 2011 and replace it with , which The Government’s My School website could be delayed for 60% ABC News Breakfast quitting as chief executive of Tourism Victoria to join the runs from 6 am to 9 am weekdays. months after Schools Minister Peter Garrett was forced 57% 56% 58% 57% board of Fairfax Media, Hywood has inherited the top job 56% to concede that financial data for some private schools 50% after another management shakeup, The Age reported. Next Holiday will be Domestic contained serious errors. The revised version of the website EDuCATioN was due go live at the beginning of December but will Australia overseas 40% now not be launched until next year. Independent schools, Foreign Affairs Minister Kevin Rudd has kept open the Baby steps which had sought legal advice to prevent the publication of possibility of Rupert Murdoch’s News Corporation winning The Age reported an Australian national curriculum is a inaccurate financial data on the website, and which they Australia’s overseas television30% broadcasting service from step closer to reality after the education ministers agreed to said could destroy their reputations, applauded the launch the ABC. The government will put out to tender a 10-year begin introducing national courses in English, history, maths delay of the revised website. Garrett said accounting firm contract to run the Australian Network, currently accessible and science. That the minister stopped short of giving final Deloitte had identified flaws in the methodology used to 20% to 32 million households in 44 countries through satellite approval, ordering further adjustments to be completed by report schools repayment of loans on the website. This

and cable. %intending to take a holiday in the next 12 months next October. Schools MinisterNext Peter Holiday Garrett will hailed be Over the seashad led to the website incorrectly stating that some private 8% The network is largely10% financed by an annual $20m agreement as an historic and bold step which would lift schools incurred losses,8% when in fact, they may have sold 6% 7% 8% allocation from the Department6% of Foreign Affairs and educational standards. assets to repay loans, The Age reported. Trade. The ABC has run the service since 2001, beating off

a bidFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE from Murdoch’s part-owned0% Sky TV in 2005 in the The function of memorial sites Meanwhile, the backdown came as Garrett prepared for 5 6 7 7 8 8 9 last tender. -0 -06 -0 The Herald0 Sun-0 reported that- 0if the draft0 modern-08 history-08 -0 a showdown over-09 the national curriculum at- 10 a meeting t n-06 t n-07 t l-10 t a ul a an an pr-09 c pr-10 u c Oc J Apr-06 J Oc J curriculumApr- isJul approved,Oct-07 yearJ 11 andApr- 12 Jul studentsOct wouldJ withA educationJul-09 O ministers,Jan-10 withA New J South WalesO already ABC chief executive Mark Scott has argued that the learn of alleged controversies3 monthly surrounding moving average the purpose and indicating it will reject the curriculum in its current form. Australian NetworkSource: is a key Roy instrument Morgan of soft Single power forSource function (July of 2005memorial – Octobersites and commemorative 2010, average events. sample A While per thequarter former n=5,291). Victorian government was a staunch Australia, and A sits small naturally percentage with a public can’t broadcaster say whether spokesman their tonext the tripAustralian will Curriculumbe overseas Assessment or domestic. and advocate of the national curriculum, new Education Minister without conflictingNB. Some commercial holiday interests. intenders Lobbyists cannot for Reporting nominate Authority where said therethey was will a view be thatgoing asked on should their nextMartin holiday. Dixon has As flagged a result, a more thecautious approach. News Corp say percentagesit should showcase shown the best as of intending Australian to wego be overseas glorifying Gallipoli? or domestic on their next holiday do not add to the total intenders. news media, not recycle ABC content, The Age reported. Profiteering taught at uni Scott hasJane had his contractIanniello, extended International by another five years. Director Transferred of and Tourism, transformed Travel & Leisure, RoyCompanies Morgan that sell Research, school league says: tables based on During his first“Holiday term, he extended intention the ABC softenedbeyond its The slightly Age reported in that October the chairman after of the body rebounding charged with sinceinformation the on end the My of School the website Global could be sued traditional role into new media. The former Fairfax media writing the national curriculum, Professor Barry McGaw, under the changes to the sight to be announced by School executive and journalist,Financial 48, also Crisis. won funding Increasing for a kids’ mortgageconceded the national and curriculumrental couldstress be delayed and –rising despite costsEducation of livingMinister Peter may Garrett be ,affecting The Age reported. channel, ABC3, Australians’ and funded a 24-hour holiday news channel plans. by education ministers committing to it being substantially savings from moving“It willto studio be automation, important The Australian to see ifimplemented the recent by the interest end of 2013 rate – if states rise felt and teachers the resultingBox tickers crosseddecline off in consumer reported. were insufficiently trained or resourced. He also said more Denise Bradley, interim chairwoman of the new Tertiary confidence will further soften holidaywork needed intention to be done on in the November.” science curriculum, with Education Quality and Standards Agency, criticised the Vale concerns that big ideas had been lost in the detail. This low standard of state regulatory bodies and assured the The AustralianFor reported more that information, Kerry Packer made or it oneto purchaseof included the key sciencecomplete concepts Holiday such as energyTravel can Intention be sector that Leading she won’t Indicatorsbe taking on box Report. tickers. She said the biggestPlease corporate visit brands the in Australian Roy Morgan media, but the Online transferred Store: and transformed. The national curriculum will she would be seeking auditors of the standard employed Publishing & Broadcasting Ltd name is no more after the also no longer mandate when calculators are introduced in http://www.roymorganonlinestore.com/Browse/Australia/Tourism/Leading-Indicator-Report.aspx 14 LETTER FROM CANBERRA

goVErNANCE

Role and reach New priorities and the political demands of heading a minority government have boosted the role and reach of the Prime Minister’s Department within the federal bureaucracy. Julia Gillard is now assisted as Prime Minister by five ministers and two parliamentary secretaries. Her department, the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet has also strengthened its leadership role across the federal bureaucracy, the Financial Review reported. On the opinion pages in The Age, Michelle Grattan wrote that Julia Gillard has a problem with authority – that is, her lack of it.

Tortuous paths The Australian’s economics correspondent David Uren wrote that Australia’s new parliament has shown itself capable of endless diversion on matters such as same-sex marriage, boat people and wild rivers, with euthanasia to come, while the pivotal economic issue of the past month or so appears to be whether our banks are too healthy. at the Australian Universities Quality Agency, which will be to national health, saying more details are required to get The government’s three major economic policy goals this absorbed by TEQSA. the new structure over the line. Gillard pledged she would term – the mining tax, the NBN and a carbon price – appear continue to push the health reforms, now under threat from destined to face a tortuous path. There is little stomach for Silent strategy new state governments. bold new policy directions. The new overseas student strategy that Education Minister Chris Evans will sell in China is silent on tough new Visa Pick and choose True to form rules that are devastating the multibillion dollar industry, The The government is choosing locations for its 65 GP super The Financial Review’s Marcus Priest wrote that Parliament Australian reported. clinics, at a cost of more than $600m, free of oversight by ended the year in farce. More than 20 per cent of the House the Health Department, says the secretary of the Health of Representatives were absent and most of the crossbench Department, Jane Halton. walked out in disgust. The House was forced to sit to vote on HEAlTH a Telstra separation bill and two other pieces of legislation The Government’s $645m GP super clinic rollout is failing by the Opposition, which delayed their passage in the Think again to meet its key objectives of providing bulk billing and Senate. Only 120 members turned up for the day’s sitting A feud over national health reforms has begun along party after-hours doctors, The Australian reported. The policy (parliament sat on Friday and came back to Canberra for lines, with new Victorian Premier Ted Baillieu accusing is running behind schedule and is under fire for diverting the following Monday), which is estimated to have cost at Canberra of misleading the public, and New South Wales resources from areas of most need. It has been designed to least $500,000. Premier Kristine Keneally portraying Baillieu as a deal take pressure off emergency departments. An audit by The wrecker. Australian of all seven of the operational clinics found only Green face. Strong Costa In an ominous sign for Julia Gillard’s reform agenda one – Devonport in Tasmania – had after-hours services Julia Gillard must confront the Greens to save the Labor in federal-state relations, Baillieu used his first press that were run in-house. Two of the seven clinics audited – Party and stop practising the politics of appeasement with conference as Premier to say he wanted to expose the Ballan in Victoria and Strathpine in Queensland – provided the far left, according to analysis by former New South Wales content of the hospitals agreement so Victorians knew universal bulk billing, with most other clinics only providing (Labor) treasurer Michael Costa. Writing in The Australian exactly what they had signed up for. Federal Health it to under-16s and concession card holders. Literary Review Costa criticises the voodoo politics that has Minister Nicola Roxon said details of the hospital reform allowed ALP policy to become a slave to focus groups and agreement had been publicly available for months and were Its health calls for the abolition of the diseased New South Wales Right on the internet. She said she was not going to make any The Australian reported that the long-awaited MyHospitals faction. judgements on what the Victorian Liberals choose to read website, allowing easy comparisons of waiting times against on the federal website, The Australian reported. national benchmarks, was embroiled in controversy within Labor must also confront entrenched union power, he says. The Age reported that Gillard will argue that simple maths hours of going live, amid claims that the data is too old to be His writing was published on the same day The Australian make it in the new Victorian government’s interests not to useful and the states have sought to hamstring the project. reported that Labor and the Greens split over emissions repudiate the hospital deal reached by John Brumby. In reduction targets, with Climate Change Minister Greg the Herald Sun, Phillip Hudson wrote that with New South The second draft Combet and Greens deputy leader Christine Milne trading Wales and Queensland Labor to face voters in the next year A three-month-old draft Health Care Identifies Service blows over Australia’s greenhouse gas emissions targets. or so – and both expected to be thrashed – suddenly the implementation plan is being reissued almost unchanged eastern seaboard could be Liberal blue. It never hurt John by NEHTA but a project plan is still some way off. National Costa wrote that Labor cannot win a political war with the Howard’s Liberals to have state Labor governments across E-health Transition Authority public affairs chief Heather Greens. Labor must reframe the debate and be focused on the country. But there are good reasons for Gillard to be Hunt says the material and timelines provided in the HI the destructive consequences both social and economic of worried about the Victorian result. implementation approach and communication strategy Greens’ policies. The Greens need to be confronted rather were only designed to show the public that the service than appeased. In the Financial Review, Tony Walker, that Nearby will be adopted incrementally, rather than overnight in all paper’s international editor and former political editor, wrote The Financial Review reported that the New South Wales locations, The Australian reported. that Gillard would be mistaken to ignore the implications of coalition wants the federal government to reveal exactly how Brumby’s defeat in Victoria for her leadership in a week in much goods and services tax (GST) revenue the states will which her party’s entrails were further exposed. He quoted have to dedicate to health funding under proposed reforms

15 9 NOVEMBER to 18 DECEMBER 2010

Costa when saying the sense of despair at the performance The two gears paradigm is not cutting the mustard of good government. of the federal party is overwhelming. The Australian reported that the economic shift warned of This is not just about the perils of minority government. What by Treasury secretary Ken Henry and RBA governor Glenn Australia has now is government by poisoned chalice, which After Christmas Stevens has already begun, with workers flocking to the means the APS is having to do the best it can in the absence Prime Minister Julia Gillard must reinvigorate reforms mining industry and the high Australian dollar pushing some of clear leadership (not that the opposition is setting much promised by federal and state governments, including of the nation’s most iconic industries to the brink. Jobs of a standard either, of course). The Australian’s editor-at- cuts to business red tape and improving competition in key figures provided by Access Economics for the year to the large, Paul Kelly, wrote that the Gillard government is losing infrastructure markets, Council of Australian Governments end of August show mining employment rose 16 per cent its policy authority and facing a haemorrhage of political Reform Council chairman Paul McClintock said. In a and construction 3 per cent as workers were drawn to the support with repeated exposures of its inability to shape frank assessment amid state wrangling after the Victorian resources boom. At the same time, more than 22,000 jobs events or outcomes. election and business disquiet about the slow progress of were lost in manufacturing, down 2.2 per cent in the past COAG’s seamless national economy plan, McClintock said year. Nearby dedicated leadership from Gillard, and from New South The Australian reported that the price tag of the new political Wales and Victoria, was required, the Financial Review What a bureaucratic state paradigm has come in at almost $55m, which is to cover reported. In the Financial Review, Verona Burgess reported that the the cost of 72 extra staff for MPs. Taxpayers will pay 2009-10 State of the Service report is a sustained, high nearly $15m to help politicians cope with the demands of A case for change calibre and evidence-based evaluation of the Australian a minority government, which, for contentious legislation, Productivity Commission chairman Gary Banks has warned public service that many failed to find in the Ahead of involves exhaustive negotiations with minor parties and the Gillard government risks failure if it tries to undertake the Game public service reform blueprint. Based on independents in pursuit of the numbers to have bills too many reforms without establishing a case for change the comprehensive statistical groundwork of the APS passed. first, saying it should heed the lessons of past successful employment database and two annual surveys (an agency reformist governments, the Financial Review reported. survey and an extensive employee survey), the 13th State Still punching of the Service also draws on outside sources, including In the Financial Review, Geoff Kitney wrote that Gillard Meanwhile Australian National Audit Office reports, international showed no sign, in the first of the last eight days of The Australian reported that business leaders are growing studies and good practice. parliamentary sittings for the year, that the doubts swirling increasingly concerned about policy inaction, demanding The guiding hands of the public service commissioner, around her were weighing her down. Back in Canberra after the Gillard government deliver on its promise to step up the Steve Sedgwick, appointed last December, and the new nearly a week of meetings with world leaders at the G20 pace of reform. A survey by the paper of 45 leading chief group manager APS workforce, David Schmidtchen gathering in South Korea and the Asia Pacific Economic executives found carbon pricing, skill shortages, tax and are also evident in the depth and scope of this report. Cooperation summit in Japan, Gillard could have been infrastructure as the key areas of reform that need to be Using the blueprint as the starting point, it organises the excused for looking a bit jaded – especially as her domestic urgently tackled. Respondents were increasingly fearful that material on three key themes: leadership and culture; political problems compounded during her absence. a hung Parliament was hampering bold decision making. capability, innovation and collaboration; and human capital However, she was in top form during question time, turning management. in a masterful performance. Thanks governor In the Herald Sun, Terry McRann wrote that Reserve Bank While the previous report indicated agency should improve The too hard basket governor Glenn Stevens said that Julia Gillard should staff awareness of the government standards of ministerial The Australian’s political editor, Dennis Shanahan, wrote have a proper and full cost-benefit analysis of the NBN and ethics and the code of conduct of ministerial staff, they that the ALP National conference is rapidly becoming the he also pointed out that extraordinary China-driven boom have far to ago. Of SES and EL staff who had contact with too hard basket for the Gillard government. Issues which would overheat the Australian economy and that would ministers or their offices in 2009-10, only 16 per cent were threaten the fragile balance within the ranks of the federal require a tough policy response. That is to say, deliberately familiar with the standards of ministerial ethics, while 54 ALP are being shunted off to Labor’s policy governing body higher interest rates. per cent had heard of it but were not familiar with it. to be held at the end of next year. The Financial Review reported that Stevens urged policymakers to consider creating a ‘stability fund’ that will A week later Burgess wrote in her weekly Government As Labor examines its electoral entrails and tries to allow the government to save part of the boost to national Business column that almost three years into Terry Moran’s answer questions about where it stands on issues while income emanating from the mining boom. Speaking in tenure as secretary of the Department of Prime Minister and being squeezed between the Greens, its own disgruntled Melbourne, Stevens said that a strategy should be seeking Cabinet, results are mixed. The State of the Service report conservative wing and Tony Abbott’s hardline Coalition, to save the larger surpluses that were likely to occur in future shows that Moran’s push to hire more senior staff from proffering topics from the conference has become an economic upswings due to Australia’s growing reliance on outside the public service has borne some fruit. External avoidance strategy. Labor has to decide what it does about China and India. The government will be able to dip into such recruitment to the senior executive service, which fell after key issues before the National conference on December a fund to lessen the impact of downturns and could top it up 1995, is growing again. The report’s sister publication, the 2011 or it will bleed over policy and politics. with cash when the economy was growing faster. very useful APS Statistical Bulletin, shows that, while 172 One of those issues is nuclear energy and its impact on senior executives left last year, 77 were appointed from greenhouse gas emissions, energy security and power The door’s open outside and 157 were promoted to senior executive service prices. The Financial Review reported that Julia Gillard and The Age reported that Treasurer Wayne Swan has left from within. Wayne Swan said Australia’s plentiful supplies of renewable open the door to creating a sovereign wealth fund, once energy meant there was not an economic case for nuclear the government has paid off its debts, in a bid to boost Meanwhile, the Australian Public Service Commission’s power. The Labor Party officially opposes nuclear power but national savings during the mining boom. Swan said how ethics advisory service has received 1159 enquiries in Gillard is under pressure to have the issue debated at the best to expand levels of saving in the long term is an entirely 2009-10, the State of the Service report says. At the top party’s national conference. open question. He said he would welcome an open debate were inquiries about misconduct (185); harassment or on how to boost forms of national savings. Boosting super bullying (135); recruitment and selection (126); the EAS Victorian arrow through the heart was the immediate priority, but a stabilisation fund could itself (93), and conflict of interest (91). The Victorian election result – a significant swing against eventually be considered. Economists say sovereign funds Labor, enough for them to lose government – has serious can help prepare economies during boom times for a sharp Who cut the mustard? implications for Julia Gillard. Ted Baillieu’s victory was reduction in income from lower commodity prices. In the Government Business section of the Financial Review, devastating for the ALP nationally, the Herald Sun reported. Verona Burgess wrote that apart from the spectre of Victoria is Labor’s strongest state. The Liberals lost a couple draconian budget cuts to the Australian Public Service to of seats despite a national anti-Labor swing in the August pay for election promises, it is painfully obvious that the new

16 LETTER FROM CANBERRA

federal election. Part of the reason was the so called to burdens on business. The commission’s latest review Triad member ‘Gillard gloss’ – the PM was popular in her home state. of regulatory burdens on business found that many in The Australian reported that John Faulkner, the keeper of The poor result in the state election suggests the gloss is the finance and property industries considered the most the Labor flame and the ‘third person’ in the Kevin Rudd wearing off, which is bad news for a government desperately significant regulatory failings to be: a lack of transparency and Julia Gillard leadership triangle, has told colleagues trying to rebuild support. However, in The Age, Josh and continuity in consultation processes, short consultation he believes the former prime minister did not leak a thing Gordon wrote that the accepted wisdom among political time frames and a lack of credible evidence in current during the election campaign. He also says Julia Gillard commentators is that Australian voters tend to distinguish regulation making, the Financial Review reported. behaved honourably as well. between state and federal politics, which would suggest there are a few federal ramifications of the Victorian election Fresh voice Evangelist result. At the state level, voters tend to make judgements Climate Change Minister Greg Combet has warned Labor Labor Party national secretary Karl Bitar has blamed the about which side is best equipped to manage hospitals, not to subordinate good policy to focus group research and party’s poor election result on ‘blind faith’ that the ALP schools, infrastructure, local environment, law and order declared Labor must rebuild its reputation as the party of would win, former leader Mark Latham and campaign and the state economy. progress. We have a responsibility to lead, not follow, he leaks, the Financial Review reported. Federally, the issues overlap, although the themes tend to said. Combet, from the Left, was buying into a hot Labor be broader, focusing on economic management, foreign debate. The Right of the New South Wales Labor Party in The ideas generation business policy, global warming, defence, education and health. particular has been accused of being focus group driven, Julia Gillard will bury the culture of Kevin Rudd where Yet, this election result in particular has significance for The Age reported. MPs had trouble raising policy objections, by creating five Gillard, because images of political parties at the two levels Caucus committees charged with sharing their thoughts on interact. At the most, at best etc her directly. The Prime Minister told a caucus meeting she Federal opposition environment spokesman Greg Hunt, The Age’s associate editor Shaun Carney wrote that Labor would meet frequently with the five committee heads and who holds the Victorian seat of Flinders, said he believed faces a calamity unless it finds a way to stem the defection wanted them to be in the ideas generation business, The the Labor brand has been seriously damaged nationwide by of its supporters to the Greens. The party spent less than Australian reported. a grossly incompetent New South Wales Labor government three years in office and already the electorate is, at the very and questions about the federal government’s handling of least, just putting up with it. Love in on the left programs such as the household insulation scheme. The legalisation of gay marriage is an inevitability and Putting a face to the confession should be supported by Labor, according to a meeting of the Bolt to the heart Australian Workers’ Union’s national secretary, Paul Howes, party’s national Left. Co-convenor Doug Cameron said this In the Herald Sun, Andrew Bolt wrote that the loss of accused Kevin Rudd of being responsible for the damaging is the feeling of the meeting, which also believed the party Victoria is a final warning to the ALP. What the party needs leaks against Labor during the federal election campaign, had not properly engaged with key groups, including gays, most is a thorough purge. It is in steep decline because it claiming the ‘vindictive’ former prime minister waged a unions and those concerned about climate change, The is out of touch and arrogant. It’s a party whose leaders are dirty war designed to wreck the ALP’s bid for re-election. Age reported. In early November, The Australian reported still in serious denial. Take Prime Minister Julia Gillard, who In Confessions of a Faceless Man, his inside account of the that Labor Minister Mark Arbib was the first frontbencher claimed the Victorian election result had nothing to do with election campaign, Howes wrote that he became so angry to break his silence and declare he believes his party’s her government. The Australian’s editor-at-large, Paul Kelly, about Rudd’s alleged behaviour, he drafted a set of charges policy against gay marriage must change to let same-sex wrote that from carbon pricing to social values, Gillard must against the former Prime Minister to justify expelling him couples marry. The Age reported that Arbib wants the ALP stay true to her party. from the party. He never filed them. Howes played a role national conference brought forward to next year to reverse Labour is facing a crucial test on Greens values. In the same in removing Rudd from the prime ministership in June, The the party’s opposition to gay marriage. He said members of paper, Niki Savva, a former adviser of Peter Costello’s, Australian reported. both the left and right factions felt strongly about the issue. author and regular contributor to The Australian, wrote Liberal party powerbroker Michael Kroger launched To change the party’s position would require a decision at that so far Julia Gillard is taking the right approach on the Howes’ book. The choice of Kroger to launch his book and the conference, which is not due until 2012. increasingly noisy debate in the Labor Party over its future. for the launch to occur at the swank Bourke Street restaurant She is letting rip. Beyond the regular reminder, gently Grossi Florentino was not popular with some comrades who Nearby, a later report in the same paper said that Labor’s expressed, that the party’s national conference is on next could remember Kroger’s history with the union-busting HR national conference is set to be held almost a year early year and that is the place for policy debates, and reiterating Nicholls Society. The Financial Review reported that at the and shifted from Sydney to Melbourne in a bid to weaken her own and the government’s position, she is allowing book launch Kroger alleged Prime Minister Julia Gillard the influence of the New South Wales right. The Financial everyone to have their say. So long as the public discussion told a Melbourne businessmen about the impending change Review reported that Labor’s alliance with the Australian remains civil, there is no reason for her to stop it and it would of Labor leadership a week before it happened. He said he Greens has created tensions within the party’s conservative be a big mistake, after years of suppression orders, even could not prove the claim but he was convinced Gillard knew wing. Australia’s biggest union, the Shop Distributive to try. of the challenge before it became public on June 23. and Allied Employees Association, said it would oppose legalising gay marriage. Independent MP for Lyne Independent MPs want a new parliamentary budget office to produce its own economic outlook before each federal election, as part of a broader push to improve public disclosure on policy costs, The Age reported. Independent MP for Lyne Rob Oakeshott also wants the office to be given Treasury and Finance Department data. Meanwhile, The Australian reported that Oakeshott’s is the subject of an Environment Department investigation into claims one of his major campaign donors dumped thousands of tonnes of contaminated waste. It will be referred to the New South Wales anticorruption agency.

Consult this report In its latest annual report, the Productivity Commission warned that a lack of effective consultation is undermining key government economic reforms such as lifting regulatory

17 9 NOVEMBER to 18 DECEMBER 2010

The Age reported that according to an Age/Nielsen poll, structured with a view to ensuring that the integrity of our businesses had not called for any substantive changes 57 per cent of Australians support legalising gay marriage. system is protected, through members being adequately to workplace laws. The Australian reported that Abbott’s Finance Minister Penny Wong broke her silence on gay and properly and transparently renumerated,’ he said. reluctance to change the government’s industrial relations marriage, promising to campaign to change Labor’s Australian Industry Group chief executive Heather Ridout laws is untenable, according to several business groups. national platform to allow marriage between same-sex said politicians need to be paid competitive wages in order couples, prompting a warning to Julia Gillard from a key to attract quality MPs. Personal offence. Women win factional backer that the government has been hijacked by According to Australian Services Union New South Wales the Greens. In NSW secretary Sally McManus, Julia Gillard knew a year ago New South Wales Premier Christine Keneally won her that Government support for an historic equal pay case With Parliament debating a Greens motion on same-sex battle with outgoing state Labor president Bernie Riordan would cost $4b in increased wages if the women won. marriage, an electorate-by-electorate analysis shows but strained relations with the unions at a crucial time for her Unions are furious Treasury appears to have rolled funding sharp differences of opinion around the country, which will government. Riordan, state president since 2006, bowed support for the test case before Fair Work Australia, and are fuel divisions inside the Labor Party on the issue, The Age to pressure and announced he would resign his post. The threatening a national strike, The Age reported. reported. The Roy Morgan Research survey data shows dispute with unions comes at a difficult time for the Keneally Gillard told a Labor caucus meeting she was personally that areas with the most positive attitudes towards gays government, which is facing almost certain defeat at the offended by the union’s suggestion that the Government had and lesbians include affluent Liberal seats in Melbourne election in four months time. not honoured its commitment to the equal pay case. She and Sydney such as Kooyong and Higgins (both Melbourne emailed all Labor Party faithful to say her mother scrubbed seats). Nearby pots in a Salvation Army aged care home, and her first job Two Liberals, including opposition Whip Warren Entsch, The Australian reported that Sartor became the 18th party was peeling vegetables there, so she knew women’s work have advocated the Liberals be given a conscience vote on member from the New South Wales government to signal in the sector was undervalued. a Greens motion calling for MPs to consult their constituents their retirement ahead of state election. Sartor is one of the The Government mounted a defence of its controversial on gay marriage, The Age reported. government’s highest profile ministers, but his resignation submission to the gender equity case, saying the budgetary came as no surprise. He entered Parliament in 2003 after impact was information that the Fair Work tribunal needs A power-point presentation starting at the top an 11-year stint as lord mayor of Sydney and used his to have. The submission argued any pay rise for female Labor MPs have used a special Caucus meeting to express valedictory speech to trumpet his achievements and to community sector workers would lead to job and service concern that the government is not communicating clearly settle a few old scores. Meanwhile, the Financial Review cuts elsewhere, because the government had to bring the with voters or grassroots members. Prime Minister Julia reported that New South Wales premier Kristina Keneally budget back into surplus. The Commonwealth provides Gillard gave a PowerPoint presentation outlining core has sacked Angela D’Amore from her job as parliamentary half the funding for the sector. Gillard told caucus that by themes and affirmations, covering the economy, education, secretary for police after she was found to have acted agreeing to a five-year phase in for any wage rises, the ASU jobs, the environment and security. corruptly by the state’s Independent Commission Against was conscious that the funding impact would need to be But in just over an hour, she heard more than 20 Corruption. Keneally has had to sack three ministers and considered. contributions from the backbench. Several, including a two parliamentary secretaries over personal scandal or In mid-December, The Age reported that the government frank assessment from caucus chairman Daryl Melham, corruption allegations since becoming premier a year signed back on to support equal pay for women. A letter by went to the government’s failure to communicate clearly its ago. After ICAC’s announcement, D’Amore, member for Workplace Minister Chris Evans has changed a government first term achievements,The Age reported. Drummoyne, became the 19th Labor MP to say she won’t submission for the equal pay test case being heard by Fair be contesting the March election. Work Australia. Shrinking as you get older The unemployment benefit is shrinking so fast relative to Or vice versa other benefits that by the middle of the century a single IndustrIal rElatIons. EmploymEnt The Financial Review reported that an ACTU-commissioned unemployed Australian will receive just one third of the review of the federal election has urged unions to become age pension, The Age reported. This prediction, by the Fair bit of complexity more independent of the ALP, adding to the tensions within New South Wales Social Policy Research Centre, follows The Gillard government’s Fair Work has added complexity the labour movement after the loss of government in Victoria a warning by the Organisation for Economic Co-Operation to industrial relations and not lead to cuts in labour costs or and new turmoil in New South Wales. and Development that the so-called NewStart allowance is increased productivity for most businesses, according to a already so low as to raise issues about its effectiveness in survey of human resources professionals. The survey of 993 Pay rise for the intern supporting the unemployed and helping to find jobs. HR professionals and industrial relations practitioners was Business fears the federal workplace laws will expose them conducted by Deakin University’s School of Management to wage claims from work experience students, undermining Tucker’s in-box and Marketing during August and September 2010, the a nationwide push for employers and universities to produce Junior public servant in Canbera Steve Tucker sent an e-mail Financial Review reported. more work-ready graduates. The Australian Chamber of to the entire ACT branch of the Immigration Department, Commerce and Industry, universities and lawyers joined listing his direct extension, e-mail and snail mail, in an Movement at the station calls for changes to the Fair Work laws that allow paid attempt to find a woman he met fleetingly at a party, The Australian reported that Tony Abbott’s pledge to leave student placements in business but restrict unpaid, informal The Age reported. Tucker’s punishment will be decided Labor’s industrial relations laws unchallenged until the next experience to prevent exploitation of labour, the Financial by the department’s values and conduct section, but election has been contradicted by one of his most senior Review reported. he will not be sacked. frontbenchers, with finance spokesman Andrew Robb declaring serious flaws in the government’s workplace Strike! Hear ye regime should be changed. And shadow treasurer Joe The Financial Review reported that unions are increasingly The Productivity Commission provided opportunities Hockey said unfair dismissal laws for small-business using Labor’s industrial laws to threaten strike action in to discuss its inquiry into rural research and development and prescriptive rules on minimum hours of work should preference to good faith bargaining as they step up their corporations. be targeted by the Coalition as future workplace reform wages push in coming months. areas. This has put Abbott under renewed pressure over Polly want a cracker? his position on industrial relations with some Coalition MPs Permanent opposition With the Government believed to be close to resolving refusing to abandon their push for the opposition to embrace The Australian reported that business groups have vowed to a long-awaited review of parliamentary entitlements, more radical reform. oppose a push by ACTU president Ged Kearney to transfer Special Minister of State Gary Grey said there were sizable casual workers to permanent employment. disparities between pay levels for senior executives and The Financial Review reported that Abbott, still wary of politicians. ‘We need to look carefully at how salaries are inviting a Work Choices scare campaign from Labor, said

18 LETTER FROM CANBERRA

Express train passed inflation way of cleaning up the environment than government after New South Wales reduced its scheme in the wake of The Transport Workers Union has secured above inflation handing out taxpayers money to isolated green projects. A a surge in installations that threatened to add $2.5 billion to wage rises of between 14 and 21 per cent for air freight report by the Grattan Institute also shows that environmental power costs by 2016, The Australian reported. workers, in a deal the union has declared will be the targets are usually met at significantly lower costs than benchmark for its national pay strategy on behalf of 50,000 predicted after industries are charged for pollution. The The seamy side of life aviation and transport employees, The Australian reported. Melbourne think tank examined six market schemes – Coal seam gas is emerging as a vibrant industry creating carbon trading in Europe and the north-eastern US states, thousands of skilled jobs and a major new supply of energy, American sulphur trading and the Australian renewable the Financial Review reported. But the National Water ClimATE CHANgE. ENViroNmENT. energy target. The report adds weight to the plans by the Commission, charged with protecting Australia’s water multi-party, committee of Labor, Greens and Independent supply, has warned the environmental effects of drilling ENErgy MPs to introduce carbon price legislation in 2011. into coal deposits to release gas deep underground were unclear and could be catastrophic. The commission said Uncertain times energy companies should be fully liable for any damage to Repeated messages The heads of Australia’s largest superannuation funds the environment they cause. They could be required to lodge It is too late to avoid serious effects of climate change on formed a group to lobby politicians for a carbon price, in the bonds to cover the cost of damage to water supplies over Australia’s economy, society and the environment, the latest push by business for certainty on climate policy. a century. Gillard government has been warned in a 114-page briefing on the impact of global warming. The special briefing to Policy paralysis Skippy? the incoming government says Australia must show global Julia Gillard has ordered a Productivity Commission inquiry Two reports by the Thinkk, a research group based at goodwill by putting a price on carbon and delaying action to expedite her push to put a price on Carbon as she fights the University of Technology Sydney, found some of the would greatly increase the cost. The document warned the off opposition claims that her government is gripped by assumptions justifying an annual kangaroo cull, in which 3 government that it faced three challenges. The first is the policy paralysis. The inquiry will calculate effective carbon million of the animals are killed (amounting to the largest difficulty of meeting reduction targets and putting a price prices in nations such as China, the US, Japan, New Zealand land-based wildlife cull in the world) for their meat, or on carbon to do so. The second was the fragile nature of and Britain to boost the government’s claim that putting a because they are considered pests that compete for food community support for tackling climate change. The third price on carbon will not disadvantage Australia in relation and other resources with livestock, were misguided and not was a growing need to adapt to the impact of climate to its trade competitors. The commission will be required to grounded on scientific evidence,The Age reported. change, particularly in coastal areas. The briefing paper report by May, The Australian reported. warned that maintaining Australia’s prosperity depended on getting climate adaptation responses right, The Australian Stalled rEsourCEs reported. The Government has delayed its ‘cash for clunkers’ scheme where it offers motorists a $2,000 rebate for trading in Studying one’s constitution Decisions outside election years their old cars for environmentally friendly new vehicles. The The head of the Australian Government Solicitors confirmed The Age reported that Julia Gillard promised that Australia rebate will now start in July next year rather than January as the Rudd government was advised its super profits tax could will next year reach a decision on carbon pricing, pledging promised at this year’s election, The Age reported. be unconstitutional. Opposition legal affairs spokesman that a responsible decision maker will not be able to say they George Brandis questioned AGS chief executive Ian Govey need more time or information on climate change. Nearby, Solar charge during a Senate estimates hearing about advice provided documents released under freedom of information laws Australia and the US will collaborate on research with to Treasury on the likelihood of a High Court challenge to suggest Australia’s target of a 5 per cent cut in emissions the aim of cutting the cost of solar energy to the level of the mining tax. The Gillard government has since replaced by 2020 pales in comparison with other commitments conventional fossil fuel power within five years. Prime the proposed tax with the mineral resources rent tax, The made in last years Copenhagen accord. The Financial Minister Julia Gillard said the Government would commit Australian reported. Review reported that Climate Change Minister Greg $50m of renewable energy funding announced in this year’s Combet defended Australia’s 5 per cent target and argued budget to joint research into solar technology projects, The Revenue base attack! the conditions have not yet been met for it to be lifted. Age reported. The Financial Review had the head of Western Australia’s As international climate talks began in Cancun, Mexico, Chamber of Minerals and Energy, Reg Howard-Smith, Combet said there has not been the sort of global action Nearby turning up the heat on the government over its mining tax, the government set as a condition for a more ambitious The Australian reported that homeowners will have to pay at saying the levy will restrict the freedom of states to increase target than 5 per cent reduction on 2000 levels by 2020. least $1,000 towards the cost of their solar panels, under an royalties and is a direct attack on their revenue bases. The Financial Review reported that in a speech in Cancun, overhaul of the Gillard government’s green subsidy scheme Previously, secret Treasury documents reveal that the Combet said that Australia could be flexible on its goal of that will end the era of installing rooftop solar systems for government considered returning up to $18b to the resource a global treaty to bind all major economies to emissions free or at little cost. The Climate Change Department has rich states from the original 40 per cent resource super reductions but that the best option would be a treaty drafted regulations, to take effect from January, that would profits tax. Nearby, Western Australia and Queensland are covering nations. cut thousands of dollars worth of subsidies from photovoltaic pushing for an overhaul of the way more than $50b of goods units installed in homes by 20 per cent or more if there is and services tax revenue will be carved up this year, claiming Last minute deal systematic evidence that they were being provided at little mining royalties are subsidising less wealthy states. The Age reported that a last-minute agreement at the United or no out-of-pocket expense to consumers. Nations talks in Cancun increased pressure on the Gillard The units are generally installed as solar panels on the roof, Conceding the mountain government to lift its ambitions in tackling climate change, which convert the sun’s energy into electricity to power a Labor is preparing another concession to mining companies with the Greens claiming Labor has no choice but to set a home or be fed into the electricity grid. If 10 per cent of to soften the blow of the resources tax, but the industry more ambitious target than a 5 per cent cut in greenhouse buyers spend less than $1,000 for their solar power system fears it will run out of time to negotiate further changes to gas emissions. The deal included arrangements for per kilowatt of capacity, the Office of the Renewable Energy the new impost, the Financial Review reported. The series protecting tropical rainforests and a planned $US1b green Regulator will reduce the number of renewable energy of meetings between miners and the Policy Transition Group climate fund to help the most vulnerable nations cope with certificates issued for those units, according to the draft to work through the technical details of the mining tax is the effects of climate change. new rules. nearing completion. The government is expected to receive the group’s report before Christmas. As we go to press, the Repeated messages 2 Too effective, wind it up mining industry has signalled that it is going to fight the The Age reported that the case for a carbon price has been The states face pressure to wind back schemes that pay government on the tax. The Greens might be a part of this boosted by an analysis that has found it is a much cheaper households to generate electricity using rooftop solar panels fight.

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budget review to help fund $2.4b in spending commitments, new proposals include halting the sharemarket in the as it seeks to shore up its economic credentials and its event of extreme price movements, ensuring clients get fiscal position in the face of a deteriorating global economic the best price when trades are executed, and improving outlook. transparency in the market. The rules will apply to every The savings are required to fund promises made to the stockbroker in the country. Parliamentary cross benches, but also reflect a recognition by the government for the need to make a start on Do nothing addressing growing pressures on its forecast return to Treasury boss Ken Henry said the Australian dollar will surplus in 2012-13. The Age reported spending cuts of up remain high for years and, for those companies suffering to $10b form the centrepiece of a mini-budget unveiled in under it, the best thing to do is nothing. In what may have an attempt to regain control of government finances hit by been his last appearance before a parliamentary committee, Second Decade of Docklands the rising dollar. Henry told senators examining the mining tax that Australia project – get involved Usually a forecasting exercise, this year’s Mid-Year should avoid the temptation to support businesses with Economic and Fiscal Outlook will be augmented with a bleak prospects in the face of the strong dollar. Instead, the To mark the start of the second series of spending cuts and program deferrals designed to decision-makers should support the transition of workers to decade of development in ensure the budget returns to surplus in 2012-13, as forecast other businesses which do have a long-term future with the Docklands, you’re invited to be part in May. sort of terms of trade we are confronting. Underlying this is a of the evolution. Join us as part of belief that the mining boom will last for years and transform an engagement process that will The Government revealed a surplus of around $3b the the economy, The Age reported. help identify clear directions and 2010-11 financial year when it released the midyear budget priority actions for delivery of the review, despite a $10b revenue slump that has put the A river of worries next decade. funding of some election promises in doubt. Labor hoped The Financial Review reported that the chairman of the its announcement of savings measures worth $3.4b over Future Fund, David Murray, has backed demands for a new Register to attend an event, make the next four years – which will fund some but not all its banking inquiry, raised concerns about the possible sale of a comment online, or register to election commitments – will help shore up its economic the Australian Securities Exchange, and believes Australia’s receive regular project updates at www.docklands.com/seconddecade credentials. economy and financial system are at risk from the nation’s or phone 03 9658 9658. But the Government’s more immediate task is to deliver high level of foreign debt. enough savings to ensure it meets its own goals of keeping real growth in spending under 2 per cent a year and returning Block stock and two smoking barrels the budget to surplus. The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission is investigating whether the proposed takeover of the ASX by Transition its Singapore counterpart will block other stock exchange The Australian reported that Australia’s economy slowed to operators from entering the market, the Financial Review a crawl in the September quarter, caught in the transition reported. from the government’s economic stimulus package to the revitalised commodity boom. Banana monopoly Grocery giant Metcash has vowed to defy Australian Wow! Competition and Consumer Commission chief Graeme The Financial Review had the value of Labor’s promise Samuel’s rejection of its $215m purchase of the Franklins to cover bank deposits, banks funding and other debts, supermarket chain and has successfully lobbied for a introduced during the global financial crisis, reaching almost Senate inquiry into the matter. Nationals senator Ron $1 trillion, adding pressure to the Gillard government to find Boswell, successfully pushed through a motion for Samuel a solution to phase out the guarantee. The liabilities rose 11 to face the Senate’s economic references committee, with it per cent last financial year and are expected to continue to to report back by December 17, The Age reported. Calming phase expand as banks look to increase their retail bank deposits, The government is considering phasing in the $7b mining which are guaranteed by the government for up to $1m for Getting there wish tax for smaller companies in a bid to calm some of the each customer. The Australian reported that Wayne Swan is The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission has most bitter opponents to the measure, the Financial Review expected to include backing for the mortgage bond market asked Treasury to draft a new law to prohibit price signalling, reported. and a new safety net to replace bank deposit guarantees in in a move that would significantly boost the regulator’s ability his plan to force more competition into the banking sector. to prove collusion. Price signalling has risen to prominence Simple because of growing concerns about the market power of the The company responsible for one of Australia’s worst Get your credit! major banks in recent comments by their chief executives oil spills could be stripped of its offshore drilling licences The Financial Review reported that the collapse in interest on lending rates, the Financial Review reported. if measures to shore up safety standards are not up to rates in the United States and Europe has opened up a scratch. Resources Minister Martin Ferguson has decided once-in-a-generation opportunity for corporate Australia Parity time to review Thai-owned gas and oil giant PTTEP’s licence to – extremely cheap credit. Led by the resources industry, The Reserve Bank’s interest-rate rise in early November operate in Australia after a damning report into last year’s Australian companies that normally would have borrowed pushed the Australian dollar through parity with its US Montara oil disaster found the company failed basic oilfield domestically were capitalising on historically low US bond counterpart for the second time in three weeks. practice resulting in a 74-day spill spewing 29,600 barrels rates and global demand for higher returns to borrow from of oil into the Timor Sea, The Age reported. foreign lender. Not happy Speculation is building that Australia’s best-known public Flash crash servant, Treasury boss Ken Henry, might quit his job BusiNEss, ECoNomy, TAx The Financial Review reported that the Australian Securities before the May budget, the Herald Sun reported. Henry and Investments Commission has unveiled reforms to will chalk up 10 years as Treasury Secretary in April, and Mini-budget control trading on the sharemarket amid concerns Australia is believed to be considering a new career. The Australian The Financial Review had the Government examining new is vulnerable to a United States-style ‘flash crash’ that reported that in a downbeat speech to a private gathering budget cutbacks to be included in November’s midyear wiped $US1 trillion off Wall Street earlier this year. The of senior ex-Treasury officials, Henry claimed Treasury

20 LETTER FROM CANBERRA

Department resources are under severe stress as a result The survey by the Australian Institute of Company Directors and Energy Efficiency. There are also 14 separate legal of the demands from independents and the Greens. He also reveals that more than 90 per cent of those surveyed matters in relation to the scheme. The program, which described the past year as one of the worst – if not the said personal liability issues were detracting from quality involved granting interest-free loans up to $10,000 to worst – in the department’s history and predicted next year business decision-making. Seventy-nine per cent said improve energy efficiency in as many as 200,000 homes, would be awful because of the hung Parliament. He said they were concerned that the time the board devoted was shelved by the Gillard government in July after the Treasury was now at the beck and call of the independents to compliance was preventing them from focusing on release of a series of audit reports critical of the program. and Greens, which was creating huge strain on the capacity performance and productivity. of the department. The survey involves 623 directors from a range of sectors, Three’s a crowd including listed ASX 200 companies, small and medium Ports business DP World has criticised a report from Young man enterprises and not-for-profit organisations. It found that the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission, Treasurer Wayne Swan has appointed a 21-year-old policy more than half of the respondents said they knew of other accusing the regulator of a misunderstanding on the adviser, Aaron Hill, from the office of South Australian directors who had declined an offer of a directorship or relationship between competition and investment. The Industrial Relations Minister Paul Holloway. Hill has a someone who had resigned from a board due to liability managing director at the DP World Australia, Ganesh Raj, law degree from the University of Adelaide, The Australian concerns. said early introduction of new container terminal facilities Reported. would result in reduced, not greater, capacity to invest in GST free our terminals. Self interest flourishing Bernie Brookes, head of Myer, told a business lunch DP World is worried that if more competition is introduced If investors keep setting up self managed super funds in Melbourne that other leading Australian businesses into the market at this stage, its capacity to invest in the at the current pace the sector may need to be more such as Woolworths and Bunnings could follow Myer’s business will be hurt. Sydney and Brisbane ports have heavily regulated, says Jeremy Cooper, who headed plan to operate a website in China that takes orders from unveiled plans for a third operator, with Melbourne still the government’s report on Australia’s $1.3 trillion Australian consumers as the sector grows increasingly to decide, the Financial Review reported. The Australian superannuation industry. In the past six years the number angry over the leakage of sales to online stores. There is reported that ACCC chairman Graeme Samuel said more of DIY super funds has risen from 273,000 to 428,000 as growing frustration with the Government’s failure to act on competition is needed to encourage stevedore companies investors seek to take greater control over their retirement an estimated $20b in sales on overseas sites that are not to invest in new port infrastructure and productivity. He said savings and save money on fees. The self managed sector taxed, The Age reported. this could lead to lower prices for consumers and business accounts for more than a third of all superannuation assets, because competitive pressure could push down the costs making it the largest division in the industry, the Financial Consolation prize of handling goods. Review reported. Cooper said the sector works well because Cath Bowtel, who failed to hold Lindsay Tanner’s former of the high level of competency and financial expertise of the seat of Melbourne for Labor at the election, has landed the Watch this space people who set up the schemes. role of chief executive of AGEST, a superannuation fund Transport Minister Anthony Albanese released a proposal to that looks after federal and territory employees. AGEST give Australian merchant mariners tax breaks to allow only An indictment Super was created by the Labor government and the ACTU Australian owned and crewed ships unrestricted access An editorial in The Australian said that the revelation of the in 1990. They appoint 3 directors each and jointly select to the coastal trade, saying such change was needed to Rudd government’s timidity on tax reform is an indictment the chair. It has prompted accusations that she is being secure the country’s economic prosperity. An editorial of modern politics. We know now that as the government awarded a consolation prize for failing to win the key seat in The Australian said it is hard to see how this would be stayed high in the polls last summer, with the economy in the election. Bowtell is also a former ACTU official who true. Business groups warned that the cost of shipping growing and the opposition bedding down its third leader in missed out on the role of union president earlier this year, cargo could rise a lot, while others criticised the plan as two years, Labor rejected a detailed blueprint for personal the Herald Sun reported. protectionism. income tax reform and opted instead for class warfare. Treasury chief Ken Henry made it easy for the government Oprah helped Losing altitude in his tax review. Tourism Australia’s new chief executive, Geoff Dixon, is The pilots union warned that airline pilots’ standards are charged with turning the $93b tourism industry around. slipping in Australia. It also says the excessive competition Next year’s summit Dixon is also chairman of Events Queensland and the Garvan between low-cost airlines could lead to safety problems. The Australian reported that the Coalition has flagged Research Foundation, the Financial Review reported. The Australian and International Pilots Association outlined that radical superannuation tax reforms proposed by the its alarm to a Senate inquiry into aviation standards and Henry review may form part of an alternative tax policy it is Centurian training, The Age reported. preparing for next year’s tax summit. The Financial Review The Australian Taxation Office and its 20,000 staff reported that the release of the ‘Henry foals’ has kicked celebrated its 100th anniversary on November 12. off renewed debate about tax reform, and the Coalition is JusTiCE vowing to make personal tax changes the centrepiece of its Independently speaking pitch before the tax summit next year. As we go to press, The Taxpayer’s Research Foundation presents a report titled Will they justice clear super changes for the new year, for large and small. The Henry Review – setting Australia’s long-term tax policy. Attorneys-General will appoint a majority of the seven- This is a major comprehensive set of papers independently member board to oversee the legal profession, but will be A woman in a senior role analysing the major foundations and implications of the required to gain the profession’s approval on the chairman. The Business Council of Australia’s outgoing chief executive, Henry Review, www.taxpayer.com.au. The composition of the board has been a sticking point in Katie Lahey, who spent almost 10 years at the BCA, says the national reforms to lawyer regulation, which will be her move to run executive search firm Korn/Ferry is timely, endorsed by the Council of Australian Governments next given the recent focus on getting more women into senior iNFrAsTruCTurE year, the Financial Review reported. roles on boards and elsewhere, the Financial Review reported. Bad schemes Charitable activities The Government is facing a raft of legal claims stemming The Australian reported that lobby groups that campaign Red burden from its disastrous green loans and home insulation against government policy will be entitled to claim charity The Australian reported that a large number of directors programs, with most cases arising from the schemes’ status and tax deductibility for donations after a High Court are resigning from the boards of listed companies or bungled administration and substandard installations. Since ruling. The court swept aside Australian Taxation Office abandoning plans to take up directorships because of February there have been 159 claims for compensation restrictions on charities’ advocacy work, pronouncing heightened concerns about personal liability and the burden over the green loans program, according to the incoming that such campaigning could itself be a charitable activity of red tape. government brief from the Department of Climate Change entitling tax deductibility – as long as it was intended for

21 9 NOVEMBER to 18 DECEMBER 2010

public benefit. This opens the door for support organisations military leaders must be made more accountable to the between the Williamstown shipyards, where the keel block that lobby for refugees rights or other causes to apply for government and to Parliament and forced to better explain was built, and the warship’s Spanish designer. charitable status for the first time. An editorial in The the success or failure of their strategy. Australian said that relieving suffering and aiding medical Friends in space research are worthier causes than lobbying. Waiting on the dog The Age had Australia becoming a key partner in the Laws that cap the amount of time terror suspects can be international battle for space supremacy, with Western Following the US of A detained without charge and give police greater search Australia to host a new multi-million dollar US defence base The Age reported that Tony Abbott declared it is almost powers passed through Parliament, but a watchdog to to spy on foreign satellites and track dangerous space junk. inevitable that Australia will adopt the American system of monitor the changes is yet to be appointed. The National US Defence Secretary Robert Gates announced the base electing judges if courts do not listen to the community and Security Legislation Amendment Bill passed the Senate when he visited Australia with Secretary of State Hillary deliver tougher sentencing. In a radio interview, Abbott toned with the support of the Coalition despite vocal opposition Clinton. down his remarks, describing reports after his comments from the Greens. The amendments have been almost two as a quiet news day beat-up. The practice would be far too years in the making and are built on a series of reviews into F off American for him to support, he said. Australia’s at-times controversial counter-terror regime, The Royal Australian Air Force F-111 long-range strike including the 2008 inquiry into the botched Mohamed bomber officially retired from service on December 3 after In the bull’s wake Haneef investigation, The Australian reported. 37 years, the Financial Review reported. Godwin Grech, the man at the centre of the faked email affair that wounded the leadership of Malcolm Turnbull, Priority is to express priorities Billionaire vessels will escape a criminal prosecution. The Commonwealth Michelle Grattan wrote in The Age that Julia Gillard’s Defence sources said a proposed fleet of 20 offshore Director of Public Prosecutions has decided not to take decision to attend November’s NATO discussion on combatant vessels, potentially costing $20b, could be one action, The Age reported. Afghanistan was in part to show voters the priority she gives of the projects dropped as Defence struggles to balance its this commitment. books, The Age reported. Crocodile Dundee 3 not in public interest The Age reported that the Australian Crime Commission has We’ve got a big back yard Coming home been investigating Crocodile Dundee star Paul Hogan for Australia has agreed to a major escalation of military The RSPCA has plans to make Sarbi – the Australian five years for tax evasion but said it was not in the public cooperation with the US, including more visits by American Defence Force bomb dog who went missing from her unit interest to continue. It has also dropped an investigation into ships, aircraft and troops and to increase opportunities for and was feared dead in 2008 and found over a year later Hogan’s manager, John Cornell. their forces to exercise here regularly. Access to Australian by US soldier who helped to reunite her with Aussie troops Defence Force facilities will allow the US to step up its – Australia’s first Army dog to be awarded the prestigious military presence in the Asia-Pacific region as it comes under Purple Cross for exceptional service to humans, the Herald DEFENCE pressure to wind down its key bases, such as Okinawa, Sun reported. as concern grows about China’s military expansion, The Hmmm Australian reported. The Australian reported that for the first time since the Cold CoAliTioN DoiNgs War, the Government has called on the media to agree to a Coming clean national security protocol for reporting sensitive information Defence has conceded to Defence Minister Stephen Liberal values on security and law enforcement. Smith that its inability to ensure accountability at all levels On the opinion pages of The Age, Josh Gordon wrote that of the organisation could be affecting its performance Ted Baillieu’s victory in Victoria is a fillip for the liberal Free advice and damaging the government, The Australian reported. wing of the Liberal Party and gives some reasons why the Defence Minister Stephen Smith has dismissed defence Documents show defence chief Angus Houston and Liberals and leader Tony Abbott are not getting more votes industry warnings of company closures and further job department secretary Ian Watt had already ordered in Victoria. Gordon says to reverse this trend could require losses as gratuitous advice, as he fends off criticism of an overhaul of the organisational structure and lines of a very different style of leadership, one that is more policy the Gillard government for failing to approve enough new responsibility within the department. driven, more socially progressive, less conservative, more projects. His comments came as the Australian Industry and aligned with the traditional Liberal values espoused by party Defence Network stepped up criticism of the government’s Wilkie’s eye founder Robert Menzies. management of its $130b weapons purchasing plan, Independent Andrew Wilkie, who quit his job as an warning that few defence projects have been approved by intelligence analyst for Australia’s peak intelligence body, the Too late or too early? Cabinet’s powerful National Security Committee since Kevin Office of National Assessments, in 2003 following concerns The Herald Sun reported that just two months after the last Rudd was dumped as Prime Minister. about faulty Iraq war intelligence, will be responsible for election, the Liberal Party has produced a new campaign partly overseeing Australia’s six intelligence agencies. slogan for the next election. Normally a fresh government Hmm Those agencies include: the domestic and international spy enjoys a post-election bounce in the opinion polls, but the Senior militia fighters loyal to a notorious Afghan warlord are agencies, ASIS and ASIO; the three defence intelligence latest Newspoll shows the Coalition enjoying a 52 to 48 per being flown to Australia to train with elite ADF special forces agencies, DSD, DIO and DIGO; and the ONA. It is also the cent lead over Labor in two-party terms. The Liberals are as part of a covert strategy to strengthen military operations first time an independent member of Parliament has sat trying to capitalise with an attack featuring the Government’s against the Taliban, The Age reported. on the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and problems over the cost of living, the mining tax, debt, the Security, which is traditionally made up of nine senators and roof insulation fiasco, climate change, asylum seekers and Regrets lower house representatives from Labor and the Coalition, Kevin Rudd’s removal as PM in a series of posters and Australian troops in Afghanistan need an exit strategy The Age reported. bumper stickers with the slogan ‘Labor. It’s a mess.’. based on clear and measurable objectives, says former Australian Defence Force chief Peter Gration. Senior Oops Merry Christmas opposition Senator Nick Minchin condemned the Iraq war The Australian reported that Australia’s largest defence The Australian reported that Coalition sources say there will as a debacle, saying he regrets the Howard government was project, the billion-dollar plan to build the Navy’s new air be no Christmas truce this year from their side. Instead, they unable to talk the US out of its invasion plan, The Australian warfare destroyers, has had its first serious setback after a will maintain their attack on the government and remain on reported. Robb called for the establishment of standing Melbourne shipyard botched the construction of the central an early election alert. A memo written by Tony Abbott’s inquiries along the lines of US congressional panels that keel block of the first warship. The mistake could delay the chief of staff, Peta Credlin says ‘We’re putting together a would give the Government more control over defence. project for six-months and is believed to have triggered a rift media strategy for the Christmas New Year break and want Nearby, Liberal frontbencher Andrew Robb said Australia’s to ensure we have coverage across all portfolios’.

22 LETTER FROM CANBERRA

Left with honor government and the City of Sydney. The charges, totalling Ministerial Council. It seeks a Board Chair and Members, The Age reported that the Treasurer of the federal Liberal about $700,000, were imposed by the State Police, the www.nola.gov.au. Party, Michael Yabsley, who raised most of the $10.5m Roads and Traffic Authority, the State Transit Authority, the The Australian Children’s Education and Care Quality in private money the party collected for the 2010 election Sydney Harbour Foreshore Authority and the City of Sydney Authority seeks a chief executive officer, admin@ campaign has quit following a falling out with party president for the use of the roads. A City of Sydney spokeswoman said hsexecsearch.com.au. Alan Stockdale. the parade’s organiser, a trust, was a for-profit organisation The Royal Flying Doctor Service seeks a national chief Yabsley, a former New South Wales minister, resigned on that is not eligible for support under the city’s grant executive officer, [email protected]. August 21, effective from December 31. He told the party programs!! The Mental Health Council of Australia seeks a chief it was impossible for the demanding job to be done on an executive officer, [email protected]. honorary basis. The dispute with Stockdale is evidently over Praise the lord The Department of Health and Ageing seeks a Chair how the job as party treasurer should be done and the way The Age reported Pope Benedict XVI has given Catholics for the Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee, ian. donors should be wooed. Yabsley has also said it should be permission, with limitations, to use condoms (presumably [email protected]. a professional executive position. during sexual intercourse) to fight AIDS. Stockdale accused Yabsley of misrepresenting his reasons Tenders for resigning. Stockdale said Yabsley was not quitting The Senate Rural Affairs and Transport References because of a disagreement over fundraising, but rather his APPoiNTmENTs, JoBs AND TENDErs Committee is inquiring into the management of the Murray resignation is the result of a commercial dispute rather than Darling Basin and the development and implementation of any defects in the party’s management. Appointments the Basin Plan. It seeks submissions, www.aph.gov.au/ Former Coles chief operating officer Mick McMahon, who Senate/committee/rat_ctte/inquiries.htm. In New South Wales was responsible to the Coles Express joint venture with Royal The Senate Economics Committee is inquiring into John Howard’s former chief of staff, Arthur Sinodinos, is Dutch Shell during his four years at the retailer, has been competition within the Australian banking sector. The set to challenge Natasha Maclaren Jones for the presidency appointed chief executive of Skilled Enginerring. He replaces committee will examine various aspects of competition of the New South Wales Liberal Party, the Financial Review 31 per cent shareholder Greg Hargrave, whose father Frank within the sector including: the current level of competition reported. Opposition leader Tony Abbott, who has publicly founded the company in 1964. David Gyngell has replaced between bank and non-bank providers; the products expressed his disappointment at the Liberal Party’s federal PBL Media chief executive Ian Law. Gyngell has served available and fees and charges payable on those products; election result in New South Wales, was rallying behind as Nine Network chief executive since September 2007 the ease of moving between providers of banking services; Sinodinos. but will now rule over the entire PBL group, whose media the impact of the large banks being considered ‘too big to assets include ACP Magazines, digital business NineMSN fail’ on profitability and competition. Submissions at www. and Ticketek. Incoming CEO of Leighton Holdings is David aph.gov.au/Senate_economics. soCiETy Stewart. The Committee for the Economic Development The Department of Health and Ageing is seeking tenders of Australia appointed Stephen Martin as its new chief from people and organisations to research and evaluate the Bigger than the Oprah House executive. Professor Martin served as a federal Labor MP eHealth readiness of Australia’s allied health professional Oprah was ‘in town’ in December, with 302 fans and a for 18 years. sector with a specific focus on the primary care setting, hundred or so production staff. She recorded two programs www.health.gov.au/tenders. at the Sydney Opera House on December 14, to be broadcast Jobs Safe Worker Australia is the national body developing in January in the US. She appeared at Federation Square in The Australia and New Zealand School of Government model work health and safety laws with the aim of achieving Melbourne, with Prime Minister Julia Gillard and American seeks a program manager, www.jofisher.com.au. the best possible approach to health and safety from all rocker Jon Bon Jovi, as well as the new Victorian Premier Fair Work Australia seeks commissioners, www.fwa.gov. Australian workplaces. It seeks public comment on the draft Ted Baillieu. There were hugs all round. The content of her au. laws, www.safeworkaustralia.gov.au. shows were devoted entirely to Australia, about 86 minutes Ausfilm, a partnership organisation between private industry The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade calls for of exposure to a US audience of more than 7 million mostly and government that has the task of attracting international public submissions on Comprehensive Economic Partnership white, middle-class, middle-aged women. Oprah also visited film and television production and postproduction to Agreement negotiations between Australia and Indonesia, Uluru and Hamilton Island and bought dinner at a charcoal Australia, seeks a chief executive officer, search@ www.dfat.gov.au/geo/indonesia/ia-cepa. chicken grill. watermarksearch.com.au. The Department of Health and Ageing is investigating sites The newly established National Occupational Licensing in Brisbane, Melbourne and the Hunter Valley to establish key Christmas in a bureaucracy Authority is a statutory authority that will oversee the policy components of the personally controlled electronic health The Financial Review reported that the organiser of the direction and jurisdictional administration of the national record and is calling for organisations, partnerships and Sydney Christmas Parade was forced to pull the plug on licensing system and provide advice to the responsible consortia to apply for funding, www.health.gov.au/tenders. the event due to the costs imposed by the New South Wales

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